President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with Gov Samuel Ortom of Benue State over the reported killings, injury of several persons and wanton destruction of property in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the state in the New Year.
Ortom said on Tuesday that armed herdsmen killed over 20 and injured over 30 in Benue between Monday and Tuesday in Guma and Logo local government areas. He disclosed this while addressing journalists in Makurdi after the State Council Security Meeting.
He said that out of the number, nine were Livestock Guards who were to ensure the full implementation of the Anti-Open Grazing Law which was signed on November 1, 2017.
Ortom called on the federal government to wade into the matter so as to avert further destruction of lives and property.
The police later said yesterday that 17 people were killed and that eight herdsmen suspected to be among the killers had been arrested.
In his reaction, Buhari, while expressing sadness at the “wicked and callous” attacks, assured the governor and people of the state that relevant security agencies have been directed to do everything possible to arrest those behind the regrettable incidents and avert further attacks.
“This is one attack too many, and everything must be done to provide security for the people in our rural communities,” he said.
Buhari also commiserated with families of the victims and wished the injured speedy healing.
Benue suffered about 20 such attacks in 2017 leading to scores of deaths. The latest attack is the first in 2018.
Attacks and counter attacks by migrant herdsmen on farming Benue communities led the state government to put the anti-open grazing law in place. The law bans open grazing in all Benue communities.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Benue youths trooped out on the streets to protest against Tuesday’s attack on some farmers, calling on the presidency to bring the culprits to book.
The residents were seen with placards bearing inscriptions such as “presidential intervention needed” and “stop this incessant blood bath”.
Some of the protesters, who shouted on top of their voices, said the federal government should intervene and stop the madness.
The protesters, mostly youth, barricaded most routes leading in and out of the state and vowed not to leave the streets until the presidency speaks on the killings.
A resident, Ruth Agba, said there was evidence that the gunmen killed some farmers, burnt down their homes and destroyed their farms, crops.
Agba said the attackers’ mode of operation did not differ from Boko Haram terrorists.
Meanwhile, the police in Benue has confirmed the arrest of eight herdsmen over the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Moses Yanu announced this in a statement issued yesterday.
“Eight herdsmen, six in Guma and two in Logo, had been arrested in connection with the attacks,” the police spokesman said.
