Blood Bath In Benue again, as 38 IDPs massacred by unknown gunmen

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Over 38 persons have been murdered and 38 others seriously injured following attack on an Internally displaced persons camp in Mgbam, Nyiev Community in Udei, Guma local government of Benue State.
The attack came barely three days after 52 persons were killed in Umugidi community in Otukpo local government area by gun wielding assailants.
Peoples’ Daily gathered from the locals that the attack took place between 9pm and 10pm on Friday. It was also learnt that majority of those killed were women and children.
District head of Nyiev Community Bernard Shawa said he lost two of his sons during the attack, adding that there had been previous attack on the day of the Presidential election on February 25, 2023 during which 12 persons were killed.
A survivor Mnenna Orkega who lost her 10 year old daughter narrated they they were asleep when they heard sporadic gun shots.
Mnnena said she attempted to escape through the window when an assailant whose identity were not certain grabbed her child and killed her.
Speaking when he visited the scene of the incident, Governor Samuel Ortom described it as ‘unfortunate’, saying that his government will not be provoked to take laws into its hand but will remain law abiding.
He said the President should do more than to send condolence message and direct security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.
“I condemn this act. It is most unfortunate. We are law abiding people. We will not be provoked to take arms against anyone. We will allow the law to take its course. I saw the President’s condolence message but he should go beyond this and issue orders to smoke out these herders and terrorists. You can imagine the pain of this people. People doing this are known and must be fished out. We want peace. I refuse to be provoked. How can we make progress with this type of killing? Putting blame and castigating me is not right”, Ortom said.