By Attah Ede, Makurdi
Suspected armed herders, have reportedly killed two farmers in two separate attacks on communities in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
It would be recalled that a similar incident happened some weeks ago, which resulted in a violent protest by the youths in Naka, the local government headquarters.
The protest lead to the destruction of many properties, including the local government secretariat, the palace of Ter Naggi and houses of prominent indigenes in the community.
A local who spoke on condition of anonymity, told newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday, that the two victims were killed by the herders along the key access routes leading to the Council Headquarters.
“One of the victims was killed on Wednesday at Atukpu village, just a kilometre from Naka town, along the Taraku-Naka road, and on the same day, another victim was killed along the Naka-Adoka road.
“And already, the Makurdi-Naka road is a no-go area because armed herdsmen have completely taken over that axis, and even commuters have abandoned it in fear of attack.
” This means that the three routes to the local government area are no longer safe. Even the corpses of the two victims were recovered with a wheelbarrow.”
The Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Mr Victor Ormin, who confirmed the sad incident lamented the situation .
According to him, a young man was killed on Taraku-Naka road while trying to get roofing materials for his house, while nother person was murdered along the Adoka-Naka axis. This is happening almost daily now.
“The attacks are now occurring within five kilometres of the town. Naka is no longer safe. It is quite worrisome”, Orkin said
He expressed concern that the current security deployment to the LGA might be overstretched, despite efforts by Governor Hyacinth Alia to stem insecurity in the area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent CSP Catherine Anene, could not be reached as at the time of filing this report.
