Herdsmen - capitaltimesnews.com

OVER 200 KILLED IN FRESH HERDSMEN ATTACK ON BENUE COMMUNITY

CapitalTimesNews / 2 months
0
3 min read

A devastating attack by suspected herdsmen militia on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State has left over 200 people dead, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, and children. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, also saw houses and properties burnt beyond imagination. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed the community around 11 pm on Friday, shooting indiscriminately and overpowering the youths and police personnel who tried to resist them. “It started last night at about 11 pm when Fulani terrorists came from the Western part of Yelwata and started shooting,” said Matthew Mnyan, a community leader in Yelwata and former acting Chairman of Benue SUBEB. Mnyan added that the attackers poured petrol on stalls in the market and burnt them, killing people who had taken refuge there. “In those stalls, we had people who moved from places like Branch Udei and people displaced from nearby villages, who sleep in the stalls because of the nearness of the Police and Soldiers there. And we learnt no soldier came out to defend the people,” he said. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue. “As of now, from the names they are putting together, and families that were burnt and killed are running to over 200 now,” Mnyan said. Chief Dennis Gbongbon, President of the Association of United Farmers Benue Valley (AUFBV), corroborated the attack, stating that suspected Lakurawa bandits and allegedly herders killed over 62 IDPs and farmers, burning houses with families beyond imagination. Gbongbon said, “Today about 2 am, we had a very disturbing security threat to Tiv farmers in Yelwata community of Guma LGA. The dead toll shall rise as search and rescue mission is on. Many were burnt in stores where they were sleeping.” He added that 85% of the victims were IDPs who ran from Antsa, Dooka, Kadarko, and Giza areas, seeking refuge in Yelwata market and residences. In a separate attack in Daudu, five soldiers were killed, including one of the rank of Captain. The attackers reportedly camped close to Daudu with over 200 terrorists. Mnyan lamented that the attack was planned and coordinated, with the aim of taking over Benue State. “Everybody is aware that the people want to take over Benue state. There are no two ways about it. They only want to grab the land,” he said. The Benue State Police Command confirmed the attack, with the Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, stating that security operatives engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange, killing some of them. “But it’s with great sadness that we report that some individuals lost their lives and others sustained injuries,” Edet said, pledging the command’s commitment to keeping everyone safe.

GROUP CONDEMNS BRUTAL ATTACKS ON IDOMA COMMUNITY BY SUSPECTED HERDSMEN

CapitalTimesNews / 2 months

2 min read

The Ochetoha K’Idoma National Forum has expressed outrage and deep sorrow over the recent violent attack on the Edikwu Ankpali community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected herdsmen. In a statement, Secretary General of the group, Chief Dr. Paul Edeh, condemned the attack, which claimed several lives and resulted in the abduction of some residents from the nearby Ijaha community. Dr. Edeh said the group extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims in Edikwu Ankpali and the surrounding communities, particularly those who have lost loved ones in this senseless act of violence. “We also pray for strength and comfort for the abducted residents and their families during this harrowing time,” Dr. Edeh added. The Ochetoha K’Idoma National Forum is deeply troubled by the escalating frequency and brutality of these attacks, which have now extended to Edikwu Ankpali near Ugbokpo, the headquarters of Apa LGA. Prof. Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, President General of the group, noted that despite urgent calls for intervention, the lack of decisive action by security agencies has emboldened the perpetrators, leaving communities increasingly vulnerable. The group has called on the Federal Government and the Benue State Government to demonstrate the political will to implement measures to protect the lives and property of the Idoma people. They also urged the government to enforce existing laws, including the Open Grazing Prohibition Law, and deploy all necessary resources to halt these attacks. The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC), led by the Och’Idoma, HRM Dr. John Odogbo, has also issued a press statement following an emergency meeting with Local Government Council Chairmen in Idoma land. The IATC expressed grief over the tragic loss of lives and ordered all Fulani herdsmen to vacate farmlands in the zone to enable farmers to resume agricultural activities without threat or intimidation. Dr. Edeh commended the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for promptly delegating his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Paul Biam, who led all the Security Chiefs to Apa for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. However, the group strongly urged the Governor to ensure that no stone is left unturned until all perpetrators of this violence are apprehended and brought to justice.

BENUE STATE UNDER ATTACK: 23 KILLED IN SEPARATE HERDSMEN ATTACKS

CapitalTimesNews / 3 months

2 min read

At least 23 persons have been reportedly killed in separate attacks by suspected armed herdsmen in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State. The communities that witnessed the attacks in the last 24 hours were in Guma, Logo, Ukum, and Kwande LGAs. A source in Kwande LGA, Dr. Ray Anumve, disclosed that armed herdsmen and suspected Jukun militants attacked Turan communities in Kwande LGA, killing nine persons. “The coordinated bloody attacks were carried out by armed herdsmen and suspected Jukun-speaking assailants across multiple locations in Turan, Kwande LGA of the State, resulting in deaths, injuries, and displacement,” Anumve said. The assailants were said to have spoken Fulfulde and Jukun, and attacked farmers who were returning from their farms. “They also attack Anwase, Mkomon Area, Mbaikyor Council Ward, killing one Mr. Iortsor, while at Waya, Yaav Council Ward, a motorcycle rider was shot in the stomach, resulting in protrusion of his intestines,” Anumve added. In Ukum LGA, nine persons were confirmed dead, with more dead bodies being recovered from the bush. The victims included Jonathan Ordooga, Aondogu Torse, Cheater Torse, Yagba Torse, Tersugh Mbaaiiga, Terhemen Emmanuel, Henenshima Apirgwa, and Orfega Atuku. The attacks have caused widespread fear and displacement, with many people fleeing their homes despite it being the farming season. A source in Guma LGA said there was mounting tension in Yelewata, Nyiev Council Ward, following the flooding of the community by armed herdsmen from neighbouring Nasarawa State. The Benue State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Mathew Abor, confirmed the attack in Ukum LGA but said he could not ascertain those responsible for the killing. Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer were unsuccessful.

BLACK TUESDAY IN OTUKPO COMMUNITY AS SUSPECTED HERDSMEN LAUNCH BRUTAL ATTACK ON OTOBI-AKPA IN BENUE STATE

CapitalTimesNews / 4 months

2 min read

Suspected armed herdsmen have launched a brutal attack on Otobi-Akpa in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. The attack occurred on Tuesday evening, around 5:30 p.m., with reports indicating that an unverified number of residents were killed and hundreds displaced. Hon. Angbo Kennedy, the lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, confirmed the incident. A distressed resident, Edwin Emma, during a live broadcast on AIT, appealed for urgent government and security intervention, stating, “We are being attacked by herdsmen… My wife and children are fleeing as I speak.” This latest attack is not the first in the area, as Otobi, which hosts the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Multipurpose Dam, has faced multiple attacks this April. A security guard at the dam facility was reportedly killed days before this assault. According to reports, the guard’s killing was part of a troubling wave of violence that has gripped the Otukpo axis in recent weeks. Journalist Meddy Olotu described the scale of the attack as massive, alleging that over 100 armed assailants launched coordinated strikes across the community. As of the time of this report, no official statement has been released by the Benue State Police Command or other authorities, and casualty figures remain unconfirmed. This incident is the latest in a series of attacks in Benue State, which has suffered repeated assaults from suspected herdsmen over the years, leading to thousands of deaths and mass displacement of residents. In a similar incident, gunmen attacked three communities in Benue’s Otukpo LGA, including Okpomaju, Odudaje, and Asa 2, with residents fleeing into the forest for safety.

TWO WOMEN HACKED TO DEATH BY SUSPECTED FULANI HERDSMEN IN KOGI STATE

CapitalTimesNews / 4 months

2 min read

A tragic incident has occurred in Okete Village, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, where two middle-aged women were murdered by suspected Fulani herdsmen while harvesting cashew nuts on their farm. The victims, mothers and residents of the community, left their homes early on Monday morning, only to be found lifeless near the edge of the farm with signs of machete wounds and blunt force trauma. The people of Okete Village described the killings as “ungodly” and urged the state government and police to take immediate action. “This is not the first time our people have faced attacks, but this is one of the most heartbreaking. These were innocent women just trying to earn a living,” said a community leader. The Okete youths are demanding justice and better protection from what they describe as “increasingly bold attacks” by herdsmen. The community is mourning the loss of the two women, and many are questioning the safety of their farmlands and the future of agricultural activity in the region. The incident has sparked concerns about the security situation in the area and the need for effective measures to prevent such attacks. The community is calling on the authorities to take concrete steps to protect the lives and property of the people. As the investigation into the incident continues, the community is left to grapple with the trauma and fear generated by the brutal killings.

SENATOR DAVID MARK CONDEMNS HERDSMEN ATTACKS IN BENUE STATE

CapitalTimesNews / 4 months

1 min read

Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has condemned the recent attacks by suspected armed herdsmen in several communities in Benue State, resulting in loss of lives and destruction of properties worth billions of naira. In a statement, Paul Mumeh, Special Adviser to Senator David Mark, said Mark expressed concern over the attacks in various local government areas, including Otukpo, Agatu, and Gwer-West. “It is heartwarming that some of the beasts involved in the dastardly acts have been apprehended by security agents,” Mark said. Paul Mumeh noted that Mark urged for diligent investigation and prosecution of those involved. Mark called on youths to be vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies, while cautioning against stereotyping or reprisal attacks on any group. “There should be no stereotyping of any ethnic group or reprisal attacks on any group of people due to these unfortunate incidents,” he stated. Paul Mumeh added that Mark commiserated with those who lost loved ones, saying “May their souls rest in peace”.

HERDSMEN ATTACK EBONYI COMMUNITY, KILLING MANY RESIDENTS

Nicolas Adekeye / 6 months

2 min read

A devastating attack by suspected herdsmen on Amegu Nkalaha Community in Ishielu local government area of Ebonyi State has left many residents dead and several houses destroyed. The Chairman of Ishielu LGA, Mrs. Ifeoma Agwu, confirmed the attack, stating that the casualty figure is still unknown as evacuation of dead bodies is ongoing. Agwu “We are taking the victims’ bodies to the mortuary right now. I cannot talk much on it now. We will give more details later,” Mrs. Agwu said. According to reports, the attack is believed to be a reprisal for the recent killing of cows belonging to the herdsmen in the area. Prof Ndubuisi Idenyi, a member of the community, took to his Facebook page to express his shock and grief, stating, “My Village Amegu Nkalaha attacked today by Herdsmen. Many have been killed and houses razed to the ground. What a black Sunday!” In a telephone interview, Prof Idenyi revealed that the herdsmen attacked the community in the early hours of Sunday, killing and injuring an unknown number of people, as well as burning down houses. “I don’t have the number of casualties right now. We are still tracking and bringing out the dead bodies especially those killed in the farms,” he said. A source, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that a Pastor of a Pentecostal church and an evangelist in the area were among those killed in the attack. The source maintained that community members were not responsible for the killing of the cows, attributing it to members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the forest. “We did not kill their cows. They were killed by members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the forest,” the source said. The source further revealed that there had been tension in the community following the killing of the cows, with stakeholders making frantic efforts to prevent the attack. When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Joshua Ukandu, claimed he was not aware of the incident.

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FAMILY SEEKS JUSTICE AFTER...

NOW THAT THE MONSOON...

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OVER 200 KILLED IN FRESH HERDSMEN ATTACK ON BENUE COMMUNITY

GROUP CONDEMNS BRUTAL ATTACKS ON IDOMA COMMUNITY BY SUSPECTED HERDSMEN

BENUE STATE UNDER ATTACK: 23 KILLED IN SEPARATE HERDSMEN ATTACKS

BLACK TUESDAY IN OTUKPO COMMUNITY AS SUSPECTED HERDSMEN LAUNCH BRUTAL ATTACK ON OTOBI-AKPA IN BENUE STATE

TWO WOMEN HACKED TO DEATH BY SUSPECTED FULANI HERDSMEN IN KOGI STATE

SENATOR DAVID MARK CONDEMNS HERDSMEN ATTACKS IN BENUE STATE

HERDSMEN ATTACK EBONYI COMMUNITY, KILLING MANY RESIDENTS

ATIKU’S AIDE DENIES 2027 PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATIONS,.

CONSERVATIVE PARTY LEADER KEMI BADENOCH SAYS.

COURT GRANTS BAIL TO FIVE SDP.

FAMILY SEEKS JUSTICE AFTER BABY CONTRACTS.

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