Herdsmen on rampage, attack, matchet my people- Benue LG boss cries out

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Executive chairman of Ado local government council of Benue State, Sunday Oche has raised the alarm over rampaging of armed herders in some communities.

He maintained that innocent farmers and other members of the communities are being attacked and matched, adding that the latest was their attack on mourners in Ulayi axis.

Oche lamented that, in the last two days, armed  herders went on the rampage in three communities of Ijigban, Ulayi and Utonkon,where they attacked mourners, farmers and inflicted severe injuries on no fewer than two persons and also went away with three motorcycles.

He raised the alarm on Monday while speaking with newsmen in Makurdi.

The Ado council  boss intimated that armed herdsmen had between  Saturday and Sunday afternoon, ambushed and attacked mourners who were taken a deceased body from a mortuary at Igumale to their home town in Ulayi community.

 According to him, the marauders succeeded in matching two persons  identified as, Philip Okpekwu and Benedict Ogaba.

“This illustrious sons of the area were injured, and the attackers we their motorcycle, compounding the tragedy of the day.

“The injury sustained by Philip Okpekwu was much but we were able to evacuate him to general hospital Igumale for immediate medical attention and all the bills paid.

However, there is no improvement and so, today being Monday, he was referred to  Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi. 

“We have given those herders a hot chase to Akparata axis in Ulayi. The herders have devised a new strategy to attack my people. 

However, we have mounted a roadblock, embarked on constant surveillance around Ijigban community and Ulayi corridor.

“Just this morning (Monday), I got a report from Philip Okpekwu that he is bleeding from his nose. He is currently at the teaching hospital Makurdi. 

“The one that happened in Utonkon axis yesterday where the  herders attacked farmers be put under control. Those herders were arrested and they have agreed to pay compensation for the crops they have destroyed. 

“I am calling on federal government in collaboration with the state government to deploy more security personnel to areas where armed herders are threatening the peace our people”, he said

When contacted, Benue State command police public relations officer PPRO DSP Udeme Edet said she would get back to journalists on the matter.

She is yet to get to journalists as promised as at the time of filing this report.