No fewer than 11 people were reportedly killed by suspected armed herders who invaded some communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State on Christmas Day.
The attackers were said to have invaded Ityuluv, Tse Azege, and Innyievya communities in the Mkomon district of Turan in Kwande LGA, turning the Christmas joy into sorrow.
Sources from the affected communities said that the invaders stormed the area while the people were celebrating Christmas.
A resident in one of the communities, who identified himself as Terlumun, said, “The terrorist herders came this afternoon (Wednesday) when the people were celebrating Christmas and invaded our communities, killing and burning houses.”
Confirming the incident, the President General of the Tiv socio-cultural group known as ‘Mdzough U Tiv Worldwide’, retired Comptroller of Prisons Iorbee Ihagh, who also hails from the local government, said that 11 people were killed during the attack.
According to him, “Eleven people were killed in the Christmas Day attack on Mkomon district of Turan in Kwande LGA. Some are still missing as I speak to you now.”
“Our people were celebrating Christmas when the Fulani herdsmen invaded the communities and attacked the people.”
Ihagh decried the incessant attacks on communities in the state, particularly in Kwande LGA, adding that some council wards in the local government, particularly Moon Council Ward, had long been sacked by Fulani herdsmen.
He called on both the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, and President Bola Tinubu to beef up security in the state.
According to him, President Tinubu should issue an executive order that will repatriate the foreign Fulani herdsmen who have turned the area into slaughter slabs.
When contacted, the Security Adviser to the governor on Internal Affairs and Security, Joseph Har, confirmed the attack but referred our correspondent to the Director General of Security, Gbamuam Jacob, for details.
“It’s true, I was informed about the incident, but I have forwarded the report to the Director General of Security. He will give you details,” Har said.
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Meanwhile, the Director General could not be reached by phone as his cellphone did not connect at the time of filing this report.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Command, Catherine Anene, said she had yet to receive a report about the incident.
“I am yet to receive a report about that,” Anene said.
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