Suspected armed herdsmen reportedly killed a traditional ruler, chief Hyacinth Ajon and three others in Makurdi and Guma local government areas of Benue State.
It was gathered that, while Chief Hyacinth Ajon and Benjamin Anakula were killed in Tse Zoola, Makurdi local government area of Benue State, the two other victims were killed around 8pm same Wednesday at Mbayer-Yandev Council Ward of Guma local government area.
Addressing Zoola community during his sympathy visit to the area on Wednesday evening, governor Samuel Ortom promised that he would do everything possible to get security agencies deployed to the area.
The Governor who was returning from a burial in the area before he stopped to address the people, asked them if they had rustled herdsmen’s cows in the past.
He however condoled with the villagers many of whom have been displaced from their homes.
Responding on behalf of the people, the eldest man in the community, Pa Aho Zoola said the armed herdsmen attacked the villagers at about 2am when the people were fast asleep and killed two people.
He said nobody from the community rustled herdsmen cows, saying his people had never had any issues with the herdsmen even when their herds graze on their crops.
Elder Aho further said the attack was without any provocation whatsoever and appealed to the governor and the federal government to draft more security personnel to the area.
Meanwhile, council Chairman of Guma LGA, Caleb Aba who confirmed the attack on Mbayer-Yandev community, disclosed to newsmen through a telephone call, that the incident occurred at about 8pm on Wednesday.
“It happened at about 8pm though my attention was drawn to the incident at 9pm that Fulani herdsmen invaded Mbayer-Yandev, Council Ward, killing two persons and injuring three others who have been moved to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, for treatment.”
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene could not be reached at the time of filing this report.
