From: Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Eight persons have again been reportedly killed by suspected herdsmen in Uvir and Yelwata in Guma local government areas of Benue state.
This comes just few hours after Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Nathaniel Ikyur yesterday, charged his people to arm themselves and confront the marauding herders invading their communities.
Sources told our corresondent that the herdsmen killed six people at Iye in Uvir council ward and another two killed around Yelwata axis all in Guma local government area of the state.
Both Security Adviser to the governor, Col. Paul Hemba rtd. and the local government chairman, Caleb Aba confirmed the attacks but with varying casualty figure.
While the Security Adviser confirmed that eight persons were killed in the attacks, the council boss said six people were killed.
According to the security adviser, “Six people were killed in Iye village along Daudu/Gbamjinba road. It happened in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) at branch Udei close, while 2 people were killed in Yelwata.
The council chairman said, “Four people were killed at Iye in Uvir council ward.
“One cannot explain the reasons for this renewed killing because there was no provocation at all. The herders just came, attack the people and run back into Nasarawa.
“This latest attacks happened at the early hours of today, between 3 and 4am.”
Aba said that military had been informed and they were stationed there.
He appealed to the federal government and the security agencies to increase surveillance and charged the people to be more security conscious.
