Tag: Suspected Herdsmen

‘This Will Not Be Allowed Under My Watch,’ Ortom Condemns Renewed Herdsmen Attacks In Benue

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom during visit to one of the victims of herdsmen attack.

 

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom on Wednesday condemned the renewed attacks and killings by suspected herdsmen in Benue State.

The governor who stressed that the killer herdsmen are from neighboring countries said the killings will not be allowed under his watch and security agents will be deployed to the affected communities.

“These terrorist herdsmen, who most of them are not Nigerians, found their way into Nigeria and are killing people.

“This will not be allowed under my watch. We will continue to work with security people and ensure we stop this.

“Because livestock agro-ranger are doing well these herdsmen have decided to target them. This is not right,” Ortom said.

The governor’s reaction comes hours after three persons including a lawyer and his wife were killed by suspected herdsmen following an attack at Agboughul in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

Governor Ortom addressing residents of the community

 

Also on Saturday, four persons were killed and seven others injured by suspected herdsmen at Tse Angbande, a suburb of Makurdi.

The incidents have created anxiety with fears of renewed attacks by herdsmen.

Governor Ortom however asked the Federal Government to step up plans and strategies to stamp out terrorism and armed herdsmen who have been terrorising the state since 2009 and have refused to obey the state open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law of 2017.

 

See below photos of security operatives at the affected Benue community…

 

Plateau Killings: Residents Flee Affected Communities

Residents fleeing Gashish District in Plateau state due to the attacks and killings in the state.

 

Residents of villages in Plateau State affected by the incessant killings and attacks have continued to abandon their homes seeking refuge in nearby villages perceived to be safe.

Channels Television’s correspondent on Monday confirmed that residents, mostly women and children in Gashish District left their homes following Saturday’s killings in search of safety in the Barkin Ladin Local Government Secretariat.

Over the weekend, the police confirmed that 86 persons were killed in the attack by suspected herdsmen on Gashish district of Barkin Ladi Local Government area and six others injured with various wounds of gunshot and matchet.

Many houses numbering at least 50, vehicles and many motorcycles were also burnt.

Residents, however, said on Monday that the death toll has risen to over 100 persons killed.

Villages affected by the attacks include Xlands, Gindin Akwati, Nghar, Kura falls and Kakuruk all in Gashish district of Barkin Ladi local government.

In order to avert the breakdown of law and order, the Plateau State government on Sunday announced a dusk to dawn curfew in three local government areas of Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South respectively.

The curfew was imposed by the state government to avert any spill and curb the escalation of the crisis, forestalling reprisal attack.

In reaction to the attacks, Senate President Bukola Saraki said President Muhammadu Buhari should call security chiefs to immediately produce quick response measures aimed at tackling the incessant killings.

“I am very sad to hear the news of the incident in Plateau State. This is very depressing and giving the impression that the country is not safe. The problem of Boko Haram in the North-east is well known to everybody but this killing by an unknown band of assailants in Benue, Taraba, Plateau and Kaduna States is now giving another dimension to the crisis. Coming at the time we are getting ready for elections, we need to respond fast,” Saraki said on Sunday.

President Buhari in his reaction called for calm and described the attacks as painful and regrettable.

He assured residents that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

“The grievous loss of lives and property arising from the killings in Plateau today is painful and regrettable. My deepest condolences to the affected communities. We will not rest until all murderers and criminal elements and their sponsors are incapacitated and brought to justice,” Buhari said.

See photos of the fleeing residents below…

Suspected Herdsmen Kill Four In Taraba Community Attack

File photo of an attacked community

 

Suspected herdsmen on Wednesday killed four members of a family in Mbiya  village, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State. 

The gunmen, according to a statement by the state government, stormed the village in the early hours of Wednesday.

The  head of the family,  Sunday Sabo, his wife and two children were killed  during  the attack.

Special Assistant to the Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku on Media and  Publicity, Bala Dan Abu, in the statement said the suspected herdsmen  were  armed dangerous weapon including AK- 47.

“The  family was asleep  at the time the  attackers stormed the community.  Sources said they were more than 20, all of them armed with guns and cutlasses. The herds later headed for Bassa village where they also set houses  ablaze,” the statement read in part.

This attack is the latest in the wave of attack on innocent people in the state by suspected herdsmen.

Taraba State is among the states where Operation Cat Race by the Nigerian Army  is  currently going on. The operation, according to the military is aimed at  disarming bandits in order to secure lives and properties.

Suspected Herdsmen Kill 10 In Fresh Kogi Attack

A community deserted in Kogi State by residents after alleged hersdmen invasion.

 

Ten persons including a traditional ruler have been killed in an attack by suspected herdsmen in Kogi State.

The suspected herdsmen raided four villages during the attack that spanned two days – Sunday night till Monday afternoon.

The villages affected include Agbenema, Aj’Ichekpa, Opada and Iyade, all in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Bearing sophisticated weapons, the attackers hid in bushes around the villages from where they launched the deadly attack on their targets.

According to the natives, the suspected herdsmen set houses ablaze and opened fire on the fleeing inhabitants, slit their throats, and cut off vital organs of those killed.

Residents of the villages revealed further that the Administrator of Omala Local Government Area, Honourable Ibrahim Aboh would have been a victim but only escaped the attack by the whiskers.

READ ALSO: Hundreds Displaced As Suspected Herdsmen Invade Kogi Communities

They also alleged that the soldiers deployed to curtail attacks and killings in the area refused to assist the locals to repel the herdsmen during the two-day attack.

Apart from Omala Local Government area of Kogi State, Dekina Local Government Area in Kogi is also plagued by attacks by suspected herdsmen. Five communities in Dekina was abandoned on Saturday as residents fled due to incessant attacks which reportedly started on Wednesday.

The affected communities in Dekina are Adumu, Aloko, Oganeinugu, Ojuole and Omayege all in Dekina Local Government Area of the state.

Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello had earlier visited the crisis-prone area of Dekina Local Government where over 25 persons were killed.

Many houses were also burnt in the attack in Dekina local government while over 45 motorbikes, food items were carted away by the invading herders.

The governor during the visit promised to make the attack the last across the state.

 

Find Lasting Solution To ‘Senseless Killings,’ Obasanjo Tells FG

 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday asked the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the continued attacks by suspected herdsmen in the nation.

Describing the incessant killings as ‘senseless,’ the former President said the Federal Government must take proactive steps or risk the consequences of burying innocent victims like those killed in the New Years’ attacks in Benue State.

The former Nigerian leader, gave this advice during his solidarity visit to Benue State to condole with the Governor Samuel Ortom and people of the state over the incessant attacks and killings.

“Mr Governor, please accept my condolence. This to me goes beyond what is on the surface and we need to find out what is at the bottom of it.

“That is the responsibilities of leaders. They must leave no stone unturned to find what is the root cause of this and put a stop to it,” Obasanjo said.

READ ALSO: Former President Obasanjo Pays Condolence Visit To Benue

During the visit, he also expressed the belief that there is a cause behind the killing of Nigerians across the country. He insisted that leaders across the board must work to unravel the mystery behind the killings to arrive at a safe and lasting solution.

“We cannot talk of a free country, a secured country, a country where we will want development to take place, a country where we will want to invite investors and we are suffering this type of senselessness. I do hope that there will be an end to this,” he said.

Obasanjo also laid a wreath in honour of the 73 victims of the herdsmen attacks in Makurdi, the Benue State capital and flayed the additional killing of over 85 persons since the mass burial in January 2018.

Suspected Herdsmen Kill Five In Plateau Despite Buhari’s Visit

Gunmen Kill Ex-Plateau Head Of Service, Two Others
Plateau State on the map of Nigeria

 

Five persons including three siblings of a family have been confirmed dead in an attack by suspected herdsmen in Nzharuvo Village of Miango, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

This attack occurred in the wake of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Plateau State. Buhari who is currently on a two-day official visit to Plateau on Thursday attended a Town Hall Meeting and launched the state’s strategic ‘road map to peace.’

The President of Irigwe Youth movement, Chinge Dodo speaking concerning the attack told Channels Television that the attackers unleashed the mayhem on Thursday night.

Two people died instantly in the attack while three other injured people who are siblings died in the hospital.

One of the survivors is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

READ ALSO: Buhari Launches Plateau State ‘Road Map To Peace’

A family is thrown into mourning as a result of the attack which has left three members dead. Twins brother’s in the family named Emmanuel and Christopher Joseph aged 16 years and their younger sister, Peace Joseph aged six were among those that were killed.

When contacted, the Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, Tyopev Mathias said the police is yet to receive any complaints from the affected area.

The suspected herdsmen, however, ignored President Buhari’s earlier call for peace. During his visit to the state, the President in his peace message said the Federal Government is committed to support and assist the Peace Building Agency. He vowed to arrest the vicious cycle of violence and lay the foundation for sustainable peace in the nation.

Three Killed In Fresh Attack On Benue Community

Truck Driver Allegedly Beats Wife To Death In Benue

 

Three persons have been confirmed killed while many others are still missing following Thursday night attack on Tsokwa village in Anyii, Logo Local Government Area by some armed men.

The Chairman of Logo local government, Nyajo Richard, told Channels Television on Friday morning that the attackers suspected to be herdsmen stormed the village around 8:00 pm in large number shooting at different directions and burning down houses in the village, in the process.

One of the villagers died at the scene of the attack while two victims who were rescued died in the process of reviving them.

READ ALSO: Osinbajo Calls For Creation Of State Police

               ‘We Should Be Mourning,’ Rep Makes Passionate Plea Over Killings

Three other survivors are currently receiving treatment at the local NKST hospital in Anyii, Logo Local Government Area of the state.

The Local Government Chairman explained further that the Divisional Police Officer has mobilised policemen to the community for recovery operations and to search for those who are still missing since the attack.

As at the time of filing this report, the Commissioner of Police is yet to respond to the fresh attack, as calls put through to his mobile phone could not go through.

Many villagers were killed on January 1, 2018, where some armed men attacked Logo Local Government Area. The survivors have been displaced from their homes as they remain largely at various IDP camps in the local government because their villages are still not safe for their return.

Pregnant Woman, Five Others Killed In Fresh Benue Attack

Truck Driver Allegedly Beats Wife To Death In Benue

Five persons, including a pregnant woman, were on Tuesday killed in Guma and Logo Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected herdsmen.

Governor Samuel Ortom has confirmed the attack noting an increase in the number of casualties recorded.

Ortom confirmed the attack after the Benue State Security Council meeting held on Tuesday.

READ ALSO: Pregnant Woman, Five Others Killed In Fresh Benue Attack

After five persons, including a pregnant woman, was killed in Guma and Logo Local Government Area six livestock guards were also killed in Sanghev ward.

Governor Ortom also visited victims of the attack while receiving treatment from gunshot injuries at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.

The Chief Medical Director confirmed to the governor that they received 11 bodies and nine injured victims out of which three died while being treated.

The killings prompted the emergency state security council meeting which was chaired by Governor Samuel Ortom but the resolve of the meeting is yet unknown.

Despite the law banning open grazing in Benue state, the herdsmen attacks against communities in the state have not ceased.

Suspected Herdsmen Attack Rivers Community

HerdsmenThe Rivers State Police Command has dismissed what it called unsubstantiated reports in some sections of the media following a recent attack in Egi land, at Ohali-Elu town of Onelga in Rivers State.

The Police released a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Mohammad, on Monday.

The Police said that on Thursday, at about 5:30am, the Police in Ohali-Elu town received reports that unidentified assailants suspected to be herdsmen had struck in the area, leaving one Pastor Geoffery Ogagaghene dead after severe cutlass cuts.

According to him, in the build up to the attack, there was an unreported case of stealing of unspecified number of cattle belonging to some herdsmen allegedly by some youths in the community.

“The case was never reported to the Police, (but) it is reasonably suspected that the attack might have been carried out by the herdsmen as reprisal for stealing their cows,” the Rivers Police Command said.

DSP Mohammad further said that although there were sources that put the death toll at six, the command could only confirm the death of Pastor Geoffery whose corpse was seen.

According to the command, calm has since returned to the town following the heavy deployment of armed mobile policemen to forestall breakdown of law and order.