Suspected herdsmen kill 16 in Benue communities

Gov Alia

No fewer than 16 persons have been killed in Makurdi and Katsina Ala local government areas of Benue State.

Six people were killed in Abagena and Asom communities of Makurdi yesterday while 10 security operatives were murdered in Katsina Ala.

The Abagena and Asom attacks happened between 4 am and 5.30 am.

Abagena and Asom communities are located within Abagena Mega IDPs camp, which has come under sustained herders’ attacks.

The incident sparked massive protests by members of the two communities.

The protesters, numbering well over 200, dumped the corpses of the people killed by the suspected herders on the Makurdi- Lafia- Abuja highway.

The Nation learnt that the protesters took over the busy highway between Makurdi and Daudu at about 8am.

The incident created traffic gridlock as many commuters were stranded on both sides of the four-lane highway.

Protesters who spoke to The Nation said they would remain on the road until the state and federal authorities intervened in their plight.

Targema Unande, a community leader in Abagena, who spoke with our correspondent on phone, said: “The gunmen stormed the two communities at about 4 am and shot into the air sporadically.

“In the melee that ensued, those who attempted to escape were gunned down.”

He said the attack was not the first on the communities. “It has become a permanent feature. We appeal to security agencies to protect peasant farmers,” he said.

Police spokesperson, Edet Edet, a DSP, said she was yet to get any information regarding the incident.