Six killed in suspected herdsmen attack in Benue community

Invaders have again struck in Benue State killing six persons in an attack suspected to be orchestrated by herdsmen in Ayilamo community of Logo Local Government Area.

Many residents in the communities are said to be missing while houses have been razed following the attack on the settlement.

The attacks took place over the weekend on the settlement located on the Abinsi- Anyiin – Wukari federal highway.

The community shares a boundary with Wukari in Taraba State and has witnessed incessant communal disputes between the neighbouring communities.

An eyewitness, Terwase Avande, said suspected armed herdsmen with herds of cattle invaded the community at dawn and shot sporadically, setting houses ablaze.

“The herdsmen came alongside their cattle, well-armed, as they shot at houses while the cattle advanced into the main Ayilamo town.”

Avande stated that it was the prompt intervention of members of Operation Whirl Stroke, a military troop, who repelled the attackers that saved Ayilamo from extermination.

The herdsmen, however, returned and attacked the community including the Police Station on Saturday at about 2pm despite the presence of military personnel.

A community leader, Chief Paul Adetsav said, “The attempt to overrun the community is a result of some mineral resources which were said to have been found in the area.

“So many mineral resources have been found in Tombo land and illegal mining activities have been going on until Benue State put a stop to it.

“Since then, the intensity of the attacks has increased. The invaders keep threatening us with bloody violence on a daily basis, killing and maiming our people and setting our houses ablaze.

“We no longer go to our farms. The few planted crops have been destroyed by the armed herdsmen using cows who go into the farms and match over them. Hunger is killing us and our children have nothing to eat for years.

“The government which has oversight over security is doing nothing to save us. Gradually, the invaders who are well armed are closing up on Ayilamo with a population of over 400,000 people.”

The Logo Divisional Police office in Ugba has confirmed the attack on Ayilamo community.

The Chairman of Logo Local Government Council, Clement Ukav, also confirmed the incident and assured that he was doing everything possible to arrest the situation.