Suspected herders militia kill 15 in Benue, many missing , others injured

From Dooshima Terkura Makurdi

No fewer that 15 persons have been reportedly killed by suspected militia in Anyiin town, Logo Local Government Area of Benue state.

The attack is coming barely two weeks after suspected herders also attacked Ayilamo town, the headquarters of Tombo Council Ward in Logo LG and killed scores of people.

TMSNEWS gathered that the renewed attack which took place on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at about 6:30pm, left several people with various degrees of injuries while others fled the town for fear of further attacks.

A community leader who hails from the area, Mr Joseph Anawa, told Journalists that suspected Fulani militia terrorists yesterday Wednesday, October 30, 2024 unleashed terror on Anyiin town Logo LGA of Benue state in an operation that started about 6:32 pm, leaving over 15 people dead and some with various degrees of injuries while others are missing.

“Among those murdered is Mr Orihundu Ati a retired Primary School Supervisor and the son of the Kindred Head of Mbawuave, Zaki Mbatern as well as the son of Tordoo Suswam, an erstwhile Chief of Staff to a former Logo LGC Chairman and the son of Mr Uyange Chembe younger brother to late District Head of Ukemberagya, Zaki John Chembe.”

He explained that “the attackers numbering over 200 were heavily armed with dangerous weapons such as AK47 among other sophisticated guns raided the town in an operation that lasted about three hours.

“In a co-ordinated operation, the Fulani terrorists took residents unawares, surrounded the town and shot sporadically in the air and as people scampered for safety, they ran into their well orchestrated ambush.”

According to him, Anyiin town, the headquarters of Gaambe-Tiev is heavily populated with people of Gaambe-Tiev. The town is also playing host to neighbouring displaced communities of Ukemberagya, Tswarev, Mbawar, Gov, Mbainange, and Tombo among others are taking refuge there after herdsmen terrorists dispersed them from their communities some years ago.

The community leaders lamented that during the attack, the security operatives stationed in the town were overwhelmed due of the large number of the invaders.

He called on the Federal and state governments to collaborate and revisit the abandoned Mobile Police Barracks project near Anyiin along Akwana-Anyiin-Wukari road in order to provide maximum security in the flash points.

He also urged representatives of the affected communities at state and national levels should also rise to the occasion and beef up security in Gaambe-Tiev communities so that farmers can go to their farms during this harvesting season.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command, SP Catherine Anene, have confirmed the attack.

She said she has no details at the moment but more information will be communicated to Journalists as soon as she receive it.