Johnson Babajide – Makurdi
Several communities in Kwande local government area of Benue were attacked in the past few days leading to death of “50 people”, according to sources.
Reports from the local government show that some communities that were spared in previous attacks have been touched in about five days of rage.
Nigerian Tribune learned that the communities attacked by the suspected armed herders including Adam, Iyarinwa, Abamde Ityuluv, Waya Boagundu, Agura Ayaga and Azege all in Turan council ward of Kwande LGEA.
A local from the area and did not want to be mentioned said, “Over 50 people were killed by the gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen.
The immediate past chairman of Kwande LGA, Tertsua Yarkbewan gave the casualty figure as over 50 when he spoke with newsmen on the phone on Monday.
He said, ‘I have not been around neither have I taken record, though as a Kwande citizen who is interested in what happens to my people especially when they are being killed and massacred like a goat.
“What we have been hearing is that there is Fulani attacks, especially on in Turan in Kwande axis even places where there was no attack before are witnessing attacks. Now everyday you hear that five or four people were killed you can not actually have the exact number of those that have been killed because some corpses are still in the bush and yet to be recovered but looking at the number of people being killed in the past few days, I think the casualty figure should be over 50.
The State Command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene however debunked the casualty figure when contacted on the phone on Monday.
She said, “They have not given me the report but it is not up to 50, the initial report they gave me there was a change of leadership in the division. The new DPO just reported last Friday and when I asked him to give me a situation report he said the area is calm now.
However, the two major political parties in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressive Congress have raised the alarm over the wanton destruction of lives and property in the area and condemned the attacks.
The governorship candidate of APC, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia in a statement issued by one of his media aides, Isaac Uzaan condemned the attacks on communities in Kwande and Gwer-West by men suspected to be herders and expressed deep concern over the herdsmen invasion of communities in the state and gruesome murder of innocent citizens which he said had become a new normal that could not be curtailed.
“The Benue APC Gubernatorial Candidate faulted the resurgence of the brutal killings of Benue citizens, wondering why such was coming at the heels of the presidential and national assembly elections that produced Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Also, the acting chairman of PDP, Isaac Teryila condemned the attacks which he said had resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of properties including farms and consequent displacement of people from their lands.
“Those attacks, if not halted by security forces, will further worsen the problem of low voters turnout at the coming Governorship and State Assembly elections slated to hold on 11th March 2023 across the State.”
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