The bodies of 10 villagers killed by suspected herdsmen have been recovered in the Tse-Audu and Enger communities of Gwer West local government according to Benue state police.
“Eight dead bodies were found in the bush around Tse-Audu and Enger villages in Gwer West local government,” the state command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, said.
“This is in addition to the two bodies that were removed from the same area on the same day,’’ he added.
According to eyewitness accounts, attacks by the suspected herdsmen occurred at about 11 pm on Thursday.
These recent attacks are the latest in a string of bloody conflicts between locals and suspected herdsmen. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Gwer West local government had witnessed several conflicts involving farmers and herders in 2012 and 2014.
The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, however, attributes the recent attacks to criminal and foreign elements operating with a network of informants within the state.
“We have not witnessed any case of an attack on Gwer-West communities by herdsmen,” he said, adding: “From intelligence report we have, some armed marauders with connections and highly visible in cattle rustling and trans-border criminal activities are operating in the state.”
The worsening security situation in the state has led to an outcry from the Benue State Caucus in the House of Representatives, who want the federal government to pay more attention to the security situation in the state.
At a press briefing, held at the National Assembly complex, spokesperson John Dyegh (APC, Benue) said, “We are very seriously concerned and alarmed at the withdrawal of Personnel of exercise Cat Race from Benue when the herdsmen menace has not been curbed and the reasons for their continued deployment to other states in the region which has left Benue even more vulnerable and has paved the way for the recent despicable and premeditated attacks by the herdsmen in our communities”.
Photo Credit: Daily Post
