By Attah Ede and Joy Yesufu
The mindless slaughter of innocent citizens by herdsmen continued on Good Friday with several people murdered in cold blood in Benue State.
Our correspondent gathered that not less than 300 people have been taken to hospitals in Katsina Ala and Makurdi.
The Friday theatre of the grisly killings were said to be communities in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State.
Our correspondent further gathered that the armed herdsmen first attacked Gbagir market in Ukum local government area on Thursday night and killed over 27 people before moving to other locations within the area.
It was further learnt that the herdsmen also killed unspecified numbers of people in Zaki biam.
An eye witness who spoke on condition of anonymity, told journalists in Makurdi on phone that, the armed herdsmen stormed some of the affected communities in convoys and stated shooting sporadically .
According to him, they came with motorcycles and foot, leaving families scrambling for safety.
The gruesome attack which started yesterday was heralded by the invasion of Chito community, a nearby densely populated community by the militants with AK-47 and other high-powered rifles that sent residents fleeing into the bush.
The Network gathered that the Tse-Saror in Ukum LGA, the country home of former Senate Minority Leader, Prof. Daniel Saror was also affected, while deserted homes were reportedly taken over by the invaders.
Scores of residents including women and children deserted their homes leaving their belongings such as food, clothings and livestock at the mercy of the insurgents.
The killings continue on Friday as they launched another attack on Tse-Ankon and Ayilamo communities Logo in area of the State.
Another local from Ayilamo village in Logo local government said the armed herders reportedly stormed the village in their large numbers, and started burning down houses, killing anyone on site.
He said the marauders operated for several hours without challenge.
“So far, we’ve recovered so many bodies from some affected communities including Tse Ugema Chul”, the local said
He called for immediate military and police deployment, stating that if nothing is done to control the situation, Ukum LGA could become a blueprint for sectarian cleansing in the region.
Effort to speak with the executive chairman of Ukum local government council, Mr. Jonathan Modi failed as he could not respond to text or calls.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police command has confirmed the ongoing killings in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas.
The command disclosed that team of police personnel have already been drafted to the affected communities to forestall further attack.
The command’s police public relations officer, CSP Catherine Anene who confirmed the development on phone, told correspondent that she is not aware of the numbers of people killed yet in the attack.
She said: “I don’t know whether 100 people were killed but I can confirm that there is an ongoing in Ukum local government area.
“However, I will get the full details later in the evening. Police and soldiers have gone to the area. They will give me the full details in the evening and I will be able to tell you how many people killed or injured”, Anene said.
Some political analysts have linked the prevailing insecurity situation in the state to failure of the government of the day to fully implement the state’s widely accepted anti open grazing law that was promulgated by the immediate past administration.
However, the Benue State Commissioner for information and culture, Matthew Abo who hail from Ukum local government area equally confirmed the attack.
Abo in a telephone conversation with our correspondent described the attack as “very devastating.”
He confirmed that not more than five people were killed today(Friday) while three others who sustained injures were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Zaki Biam.
He frowned at the influx of cattle herders in Ukum whom are grazing freely and unhindered.
The Commissioner lamented that Ukum and Logo local government areas are facing severe threat while Katsina Ala is safe for now.
The humanitarian challenge in Ukum and other surrounding villages, is rapidly deteriorating, as thousands of residents remain in hiding, without food, shelter, or medical care.
