More 26 Local Farmers killed in Benue, North Central Nigeria

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, (putting on Faze Cap) visited victims of the latest incident in a hospital on Tuesday. Source/Vanguard

More 26 Local Farmers killed in Benue, North Central Nigeria

Barely two months after the more than a hundred local farmers were killed in Omusu village, at Ojigo Ward, Edumoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State by armed herdsmen, identified as Fulanis, more 26 farmers have been reported killed in a similar incident.

Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari on Monday announced he would visit some of the troubled spots, including Benue, starting from Taraba State.

Buhari had been criticized for choosing to pursue his re-election campaign instead of showing empathy to the violence-affected areas.  

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A source in the community disclosed that the attackers were well-armed herdsmen and that they stormed the village about 4p.m., shooting sporadically at anything they sighted and burning down houses in the community.

 His words: “It was a bloody evening in Okpokwu. Armed herdsmen stormed Omusu village and opened sporadic fire on the locals, killing and butchering anyone and anything they came across.”

Among the first callers to the deserted community was Governor Samuel Ortom, who led members of the state security council for an on-the-spot assessment of the area. Addressing the people present at the Omusu village square, Governor Ortom who fought back tears as he spoke, said killer herdsmen have continued to rain terror on the people of the state despite efforts by his government to stem the tide.

“Heads of security agencies said people doing this are from other countries. These killings are not acceptable. We will not fold our arms and wait for people to come from other countries and invade our land, kill, maim, rape our women and children and go free. This cannot be allowed to continue.

“That is why we have decided at the state security council level to come here for on-the-spot assessment. Already, as recorded by the local government chairman, 24 people were killed just in one day. This is not right and it is unacceptable. Samuel Ortom of Benue state visited Saint Mary Hospital and General Hospital Okpoga to commiserate with victims and survivors of Monday evening attack at Omusu village, Ojigo ward Edumoga in Okpokwu local government area of Benue state by herdsmen that claimed 26 lives.

 “I know that the security men are doing their best, but they are overstretched; from the Police, Civil Defence and the Army. The fact is that they are not also spared. Even the security agencies have become victims of these mercenaries. I think that something has to be done and very fast too.

“As leaders, we are here to assess the situation and as we go back, we will re-strategize and ensure that this does not occur again.

 “But let me repeat this, for us in Benue State, we have a law prohibiting open grazing. Anyone who wants to live with us here must obey the law. The law is not targeted at any herdsman or woman or any ethnic group.

“The law is meant to protect the lives of the people of the state and herdsmen alike. No one is discriminated against and everyone must obey the law because it is what is obtainable everywhere. I am aware that when Sharia law was introduced in Zamfara State and several…” Ortom said.