Herdsmen Killed 1,773 Benue Residents In 3 Years — Council Chairmen

From 2018 to date, 1,773 inhabitants of Benue State have been slain by suspected Fulani herders, according to local government chairmen and leaders of socio-cultural organizations in the state.

During a news conference in Makurdi, the state capital, the leaders made the claim on Monday. They claim that the amount simply reflects the number of bodies found during many attacks.

The herdsmen no longer come to the state with their cattle but AK-47 rifle, according to Ukum council boss Steve Ayua, who spoke for the group.

He said, “It is on record that open grazing has led to the invasion of farming communities by Fulani herdsmen leading to massive killings and maiming of people, including children, raping of women, destruction of property, loss of livelihoods and displacement of persons.

“The negative impact of open grazing which often results in attacks on communities in different parts of Benue State has adversely affected the local economy as farmers are prevented from accessing their farms and local markets are also deserted for fear of imminent invasion by the killers.”

When the state governor, Samuel Ortom, was attacked by suspected Fulani militia, Steve Ayua declared it was only by God’s mercy that he escaped death.

The governor was assassinated by gunmen on March 20, 2021, while on his way from a farm along the Makurdi-Ghoko route, according to NEWS DIRECT.

According to NEWS DIRECT, nearly 1.5 million citizens of the state have been evicted from their ancestral homes as a result of the state’s ongoing attacks on communities.

Several days ago, suspected herdsmen stormed Mbayatyo community in Logo Local Government’s Mbater council ward and opened fire on mourners, killing a number of people and badly injuring others.