Police confirm killings of 6 cashew farmers in Benue, as Gov Alia condemned attack

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the attacked on cashew farmers in Asaba, Ojantele, and Okpette communities in Apa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The command also  confirmed that  six people were killed during the attack which took place on Friday afternoon.

This was contained in a statement issued  by the command police public relations officer PPRO DSP Udeme Edet, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi, Saturday.

Udeme said the farmers were reportedly working on their farms when the assailants launched the attack.

According to her, joint security teams comprising operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the military, and local youths from the affected communities immediately mobilised into the forest to carry out search and rescue operations.

“At the end of the initial operation, six lifeless bodies were recovered; efforts are ongoing to ensure the safety of residents in the affected communities,” she added.

Udeme said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, had assured the public that reinforcements had been sent to facilitate a more thorough and coordinated operation in the affected communities.

She noted that the aim was to apprehend those behind  the attack.

“In the meantime, patrols have been intensified across the affected communities and the entire state to prevent any further attacks and to reassure residents of the continued readiness of security operatives to always confront such attacks.

“Members of the public are urged to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that may assist ongoing operations,” she said

Meanwhile, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has condemned in strong terms the senseless and tragic attack armed herdsmen terrorists on innocent locals of Akpete/Asaba community in Ojantele Ward of Apa Local Government Area.

The Governor  said he is in deep sorrow over the report that the terrorist ambushed a group of innocent farmers from Ojantelle, Asaba and Akpete who had gone to their cashew farm to harvest seeds. 

The brutal attack claimed lives while six others were still missing and a young girl was reportedly abducted.

He described the incident as a terrorist’ act that is unacceptable and a painful reminder of the security challenges confronting peaceful farming communities in the state. 

“How can you come in and attack a people who were simply pursuing their legitimate means of livelihood? My people are hardworking farmers and do not deserve such a cruel fate” .

“I condemn this heinous act in the strongest possible terms. The killing of innocent Benue citizens going about their daily farm work is an assault on our shared humanity and will not be tolerated,” he stated.

Rev. Alia in a statement by his chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula,  sympathized with Apa Local Government, the affected communities and the families of the victims over the painful loss, assuring them that the state government stands firmly with them in this difficult moment.

He disclosed that he has directed security agencies to intensify operations in the area to track down the perpetrators of the attack, rescue the abducted girl, and locate those still missing, assuring that every effort is being put in place to ensure that those responsible for the atrocity are brought to justice.

The Governor further reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property across Benue State, emphasizing that no community in the state will be abandoned to violence.

He said, “Do not lose hope. My administration is working closely with security agencies and community leaders to strengthen protection around vulnerable areas” .

The Governor who prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and asked God to grant their families the strength to bear the painful loss assured that, “we will not waver until our people are safe and can return to their fields without fear”.