10 killed, others inj1ured as suspected herders invade three LGAs in Benue
Suspected armed herdsmen have reportedly invaded communities in Apa, Kwande, and Guma local government areas of Benue State, leaving 10 persons dead and others injured.
NEWSMEN gathered that the herders, who had invaded several Benue communities with thousands of cattle since the coming of the dry season, started their attacks on Ubele, Ochumekwu, Adija, Kano and Ijaha in Apa LGA on Sunday.
Mr. Eche Akpoko, the National Chairman of Apa Development Association, confirmed the attacks and expressed concern over the continuous onslaught by the marauders.
According to Akpoko, a total of five people were killed in Ijaha-Ibele, three in Ochumekwu, one in Adija, and another in Kano community, all within Apa LGA.
He said that the violence also spread to Yelewata in Guma LGA, where a farmer named Mr. Oryiman Ifa was attacked and left injured in his cassava farm.
Oryiman was later rescued by neighbors and is currently receiving treatment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.
NEWSMEN gathered that the marauders invaded Moon on River Mkomun near the Cameroon boundary, where villagers were trapped and threatened.
Some villagers managed to escape after paying N5,000 each to those who assisted them.
He said: “I can confirm to you that there were serial of attacks on the following communities: Ijaha-Ibele, where five people were killed; Ochumekwu recorded three casualties; in Adija, one person was killed, same as Kano community, where one person was also killed.
“These were all in Apa LGA.
“The attack was reported to have spread to Yelewata in Guma LGA, where a middle aged farmer, Mr. Oryiman Ifa, was hacked Sunday morning in his cassava farm by herders, who invaded his farm with their cattle.
“According to a family member, he was left in his pool of blood but was lucky to have been rescued by neighbours, who saw him in the bush and rushed him to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, Makurdi, where he is receiving treatment.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, stated that she had not received any information regarding the attacks.
