Three killed in Fulani/Tiv crisis in Benue

NO fewer than Fifteen persons feared dead on Sunday at three communities in Logo local government area of Benue state, where former governor of the state, Dr Gabriel Suswam hails from.

It was gathered that the attackers had on Sunday afternoon attacked the affected communities when they were relocating to their base due to rainfall.

Although, sources said that three persons were killed during the crisis, but latest report said that fifteen persons died in the attack that affected Tse Akaa, Mba’abaji and Tse Orlalu all in Ugondo Mbanar District of Logo local government area of Benue

Our correspondent reliable gathered that trouble started Sunday afternoon when the villagers challenged the herdsmen who were moving their cattle away from the area.

It was gathered that the mass movement of the herders with their cattle fueled insinuation that the herders might be planning to attack the village.

As a result of the development, the villagers were said to have challenged the herders which later snowballed into crisis.

An eyewitness who identified himself as James said the herdsmen without provocation launched the attack on the villagers around 5pm at the time some of the villagers were coming out from Sunday evening service.

He however denied that villagers’ action triggered the crisis, saying, ‘some of the villagers were coming out of evening service when the herders began to shoot sporadically to and in the process three persons died.

James further explained that several persons were injured and many others missing, he added that many people were presently taking refuge at a nearby village.

The source alleged that the attackers came from the Taraba axis, through Abaji, Mbamar, Ugondo and busted out at Akaa, shooting sporadically at the village market square.

The displaced persons were said to have moved to Ugba, headquarters of the local government.

The state commissioner of police, Mr Bashir Makama who later spoke with newsmen said that six dead bodies have been recovered in two villages adding that he would continue to update newsmen on the recent crisis.

He explained that the herders were moving out of the environment when the crisis erupted and called on the communities along the routes to allow peaceful passage of the herders.

Makama said that with the raining season setting in, the possibility of the herders to relocate was necessary.

Governor Ortom who confirmed the incident enjoined both farmers and herders to always show patience, saying, ‘two wrongs cannot make a right’.