-Scores injured, Thousands Missing with Several Houses Burnt
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
No fewer than 30 persons have been reported killed, with several others injured and hundreds including women and children missing, as suspected armed herders, launched coordinated attacks on Azege community in Tombo council ward of Logo local government area and Adabo village and Tse Gwebe settlement in Utange Council Ward, Shitile in Katsina -Ala LGA of Benue State respectively.
Our correspondent gathered that terrorist herdsmen invaded communities in Logo LGA, on Saturday and Sunday, killing 20 people.
The armed men who also injured over 30 others killed 10 persons
in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
It was further gathered that the suspected herders numbering over 300, stormed the affected communities through the neighbouring Nasarawa State on Sunday morning as people were preparing for early morning church service and started shooting sporadically resulting in the death of 30 persons.
The executive Chairman of Logo local government council, Mr. Clement Kav, who confirmed the incident, told journalists in Makurdi on Monday, that the armed herdsmen invaded the Azege community at about 7am on Sunday 24th November, as people were preparing for church.
The Chairman who spoke on phone, said some herdsmen came all the way from Nasarawa State and attacked my people. They attack the Tombo Council Ward and killed 17 persons and injured 37.”
According to him, the herdsmen are claiming ownership of Tombo land.
He however said the Governor has mobilized more security to the area and peace has been restored.
“Yes, armed herdsmen and terrorists attacked my people. They were numbering over 300 well armed men suspected to be militia from outside Nigeria. They are probably hired from neighbouring countries because their appearance was slightly different from the Fulanis we have around.
“This invasion was carried out in the morning hours and the invaders were clearly seen by the locals.
“The security operatives on ground were unable to repel them because of their large numbers and the sophisticated weapons they were carrying.
“It was not until the arrival of a military jet before they were able to subdue them to retreat. As at this morning, over 20 corpses were discovered while the search for more missing persons is on going”, Mr Kav stated.
The executive chairman of Katsina Ala LGA, Mr Justine Shaku, also confirmed the Monday attack in his area.
Shaku who lamented over repeated attacks in the area said “Yes, another incident of attack by herders and marauders was reported to have taken place this morning the 25th day of November, 2024 at about 20:00 hrs.
“The information is that many of them heavily armed stormed Adabo village and Tse Gwebe settlement in Utange Council Ward, Shitile in Katsina -Ala LGA. From reports, they killed many people, the number yet known, destroyed valuable properties and looted a lot of house hold items and left uninterruptedly.
“Benue State is under severe security threat by herder-armed bandits. The level of destruction and scores killed would be forwarded to you in due course, please,” Shaku stated.
A resident of Tombo and a community leader in Logo LGA, Chief Joseph Anawa said herdsmen terrorists attacked Azege settlement of Tombo Council Ward yesterday, Sunday 24th November 2024 at about 7am.
Anawa who disclosed that the well armed terrorists numbering over 300 said they are suspected to be militia from outside Nigeria, probably hired from neighbouring countries “because their appearance was slightly different from the herders we have around.
“This invasion was carried out in the morning hours and the invaders were clearly seen by the locals.
The security operatives on ground were unable to repel them because of their number and the sophisticated weapons they were carrying.
“It was not until the arrival of a military jet before they were able to subdue them to retreat. As we speak, over 20 corpses were discovered while the search for more missing persons is on going.”
When contacted, the Benue State command Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, SP Catherine Anene confirmed the Logo attack and said five dead bodies have been recovered.
She stated further security personnel are being deployed to the areas to avert further attacks.
The saying goes, if a dog bites you, that dog is insane, but if you allow the same dog to bite you twice then you are the one that is insane. A word is enough for the wise.