Benue community buries 15 victims of herders attack
…Gov Alia condemns attack on Benue farmers
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
Benue state Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has condemned the recent armed herders attack on Mbakyor community, Mbalom council ward of Gwer East local government area of the State which left nothing less than 15 innocent persons dead with several others with various degrees of injuries.
Governor Alia also promised that it was the last time for such ugly incident to occur in the community as his administration is working round the clock debosong security strategies to put a stop to herders’ attack in Benue communities.
Represented by his Deputy, Barr. Sam Ode, at Mbakyor, Mbalom Council ward, Gwer East local government area, during a mass burial put together for the 15 dead bodies, the Governor expressed sadness over the untimely deaths and described the situation as abnormal.
The Governor explained that security is not an individual business but a collective one and charged residents of the community to always remain vigilant with the view to protect themselves.
He urged the community through their traditional rulers to profile a security outfit and present to the State government for inauguration with the sole responsibility of protecting their community against further attacks.
He assured that all the requests presented by their various leaders will reach the governor accordingly.
Earlier, the chairman, Association of Mbakyor sons and daughters Mr. Simon Kofi appealed for the creation of Mbakyor council ward, construction of access road to the community and deployment of qualified healthcare personnel to the existing primary health care in their community for proper healthcare service delivery.
On his part, President General, Masev Development Association, Professor Vitalis Tarhule, called on the government to give the community the desired protection which according to him was the main aim they voted the government into office.
“This is the 3rd time the armed herdsmen are attacking our community killing more than 40 people, the first attack was in 2014, the second 2018 with the third in 2024, we are therefore, appealing to the government of the day to establish a security outfit in the community to stop this attacks,” Prof. Tarhule explained.
Hon. Elias Audu, representing Gwer East in the State Assembly lamented why the emergency aircraft displayed by the Nigeria Air force and recently inaugurated by the Vice president for prompt intervention in such cases was not used and asked the state government to carry out an investigation into the matter.
Hon. Audu, also called on the State government to put an end to Mbavur/ Mbasombo crisis now that the rain has returned by demarcating the two communities for peace to reign.
