Armed herders kill 19 in renewed attacks on Benue communities

Suspected armed herders have claimed the lives of at least 19 individuals in a series of attacks on communities in Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State. 

The first incident occurred on Saturday, when 16 farmers, who were returning to their village, were ambushed and killed along Kashimbila Road.

Their bodies were later dumped in River Katsina-Ala. A local resident from Mbanduwa, who wished to remain anonymous, described how the farmers were ambushed while heading back to their community, marking another devastating chapter in the ongoing violence.

“Their bodies were dropped in River Katsina-Ala.”

The second attack, which occurred on Monday afternoon at Boaguwa in Kumakua council ward in the same local government, was said to have claimed three lives.

It was gathered that residents of communities within the area have fled to Jato Acka for safety.

The President General of Mzough U Tiv Worldwide and leader of the three socio-cultural groups (Mzough U Tiv, OchiitaK’idoma, and Om’Ngede), Comptroller of Prison, Iorbee Ihagh (retd), confirmed the killings.

He added that all six council wards in Turan within the local government have been deserted.

Ihagh, who was at Jato Acka when he spoke to our correspondent on the phone on Monday evening, said that 16 farmers were killed on Saturday and their bodies thrown into River Katsina-Ala.

He said, “I am right now in Jato Acka. I was told that 16 farmers were killed along Kashimbila Road at the weekend and their bodies thrown into River Katsina-Ala.

“As I am talking to you now, armed herders have attacked Boaguwa in Kumakua council ward, and three dead bodies have been recovered.

“People have fled their communities and taken refuge in Jato Acka. I doubt if this place (Jato Acka) is safe right now.”

Ihagh, who claimed that all the six council wards in Turan in Kwande LGA have been overrun by suspected armed herders, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to deploy more troops to the local government.

When contacted, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, Joseph Har, directed our correspondent to the Director General of Internal Security, Israel Gbawuam, for confirmation.

However, Gbawuam’s telephone number was out of reach when our correspondent tried to call him.

Similarly, efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, Benue Command, Catherine Anene, were not successful as she dropped the call made to her cell phone.