By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
At least 5 persons have been reportedly murdered in Ayilamo, Logo local government area of Benue State by armed bandits.
A source in the area who disclosed this to Peoples’ Daily on ground of anonymity, said the bandits stormed the village at about 10pm on Tuesday night, attacked and killed 2 persons at the Mobile barracks, situated at Mahanga, near Ayilamo.
He said from there, they proceeded to Ayilamo town, shot and killed another 3 persons on the spot.
“Many others sustained various degrees of injury and were taken to the hospital, where they are receiving treatment. Some of the cases were so serious that today (Wednesday) they were referred to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi”,the source said.
Meanwhile the State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has utterly condemned the unprovoked attacks on Ayilamo and Mbachohon communities in Logo and Gwer-West Local Government Areas by suspected armed herders.
The Governor who made condemnation in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula frowned at the nefarious activities of the herders who maim and kill innocent Benue citizens in cold blood for reasons which are difficult to grasp and pin down.
He said Benue is an agrarian society whose economy is largely based on producing and maintaining crops and farmlands, and “we cannot watch our people killed daily on their farmlands and their villages for a cause very unknown to us”.
The Governor who lamented cases of alleged herdsmen attacks on Benue communities leading to loss of lives and property, said he will not rest until such barbaric acts are curtailed.
Recall that last night, there were twin attacks in the state. While one happened at Ayilamo, one took place at Mbalam, Mbachohon Council ward of Gwer-West by persons also suspected to be armed cattle herders.
While sympathizing with the families of those who lost their loved ones in these attacks, Governor Alia called on security agencies in the state to quickly delve into the depths of the unfortunate situations and apprehend those suspected to be behind such attacks and bring them before the law.
He called on traditional rulers and youths in the state to be vigilant and report any suspicious move to the security.
