15 Fear Dead As Fulani Militia Attacks Benue Communities

There was pandemonium yesterday in Mbadwem district of Guma local government area of Benue State when suspected Fulani militia allegedly launched a fresh attack on the agrarian communities. No fewer than 15 people were killed and several others injured.

Scores of farmers have been displaced from their ancestral homes, just as several houses are destroyed and farmlands damaged. The attacked farmers including men, women and children are fleeing the attacked areas to Udei and Daudu in Guma and Makurdi town in Makurdi LGA.

It was gathered that the incident which occurred on Saturday night resulted to the closure of churches and markets on Sunday. This is the first dastardly attack since the internally displaced persons (IDPs) returned to their various homes that were sacked.

It was gathered that the militia who came with cows and armed with dangerous weapons and ammunition had unleashed the attacks and quickly retreated. The assailants destroyed Tse Uosu, Gbudu and Umenger among other villages.

Eye witnesses said several persons were badly injured, just as many children are missing and the aged who are not physically fit to flee were abandoned by the fleeing farmers.

The priest at St. Francis catholic mission Daudu, Guma LGA, Rev. Fr. Solomon Mfa Ukeyima who spoke to LEADERSHIP yesterday by telephone said parishioners did not attend mass due to fear of the crisis. He stated that “I am in Makurdi town now but many people are displaced and are fleeing to Daudu and Makurdi.”

The police public relations officer, ASP Austine Ezeani confirmed the attack yesterday and said the command has deployed policemen to the affected areas to avert further attacks. He said investigation into the matter has commenced. (Leadership)