Gunmen during the early hours of yesterday killed five persons and sacked several communities in two local government areas of Benue State. The attacks on Agatu and Logo LGAs despite the heavy presence of military forces deployed to the state has happened two weeks after a peace pact supervised by police authorities was signed between Tiv, Agatu farmers and Fulani herdsmen.
Villagers alleged that more than 100 gunmen believed to be Fulani militia invaded Chembe, Ifer and Tse Gundu near Anyiin around Anawah settlement in Ukemberaga/Tswarev ward of Logo area, the home town of Governor Gabriel Suswam to unleash terror.
A youth leader of the affected area who simply gave his name as Faanmoyol explained to our correspondent on telephone that that the attackers stormed the vicinity in two groups and using different routes. He added that three persons were killed and several others were injured while houses were also razed, causing people who had just returned to their homes after earlier attacks to desert their villages again.
Witnesses told newsmen that a total of five dead bodies were recovered from the villages after the exit of the attackers who carried on the mayhem between 6:30pm on Thursday to terminate at 2am on Friday.
Corroborating, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Chief Anawah Joseph, who hails from one of the affected areas said that two dead bodies were discovered at the scene of attack. The alleged attackers were said to have crossed the river through Loko, a neighbouring community of Nasarawa State.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Daniel Ezeala dismissed the involvement of Fulani herdsmen in the Logo attack, but rather confirmed that it was a robbery incident on Chembe which left two persons dead. He however noted that when the information got to the Anti-Terrorism personnel in the area, they instantly moved to the scene and found two dead bodies on the ground. “There was no destruction of properties. From all indication, it is not Fulani but robbery incident,” he said. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Mr. PPRO did you arrive the scene of the incident when the invaders were around to determine whether they were Fulani herdsmen or not, or did you come to the conclusion from the comfort of your office. I wonder when armed robbers started robbing in groups of hundreds and what sharing formula they would use to share the loot they obtained from FARMERS. WOW you have really given me an assignment.
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