Gunmen on Friday night reportedly killed 34 people in an attack on Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at LGEA Primary School Mgban, in Nyiev Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Benue Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident without details.
A resident simply identified as, Jonah, told newsmen that armed men attacked the community around 9pm on Friday. He said a pregnant woman and her son were among those killed while many people were injured.
Similarly, the Security Adviser of Guma local government council, Christopher Waku, told Newsmen that 34 people were killed while over 40 others were injured, said he was at scene of the incident, disclosed that the people killed were displaced from their various ancestral homes and were taking refuge at a classroom in LGEA Mgban.
“We recovered 24 corpses inside the classroom while the remaining 10 bodies were picked up along the road in the community. They were killed while running away. This killing can best be described as genocide,” while over 40 were severely injured and have been taking to the hospital.
Meanwhile The Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Governor, Nathaniel Ikyur, has alleged that there has been an influx of Fulani herdsmen into the state since the Governor-elect, Reverend Fr Hyacinth Alia won the March 18 gubernatorial poll.
Ikyur, in an article titled “ORTOM DID NOT SHUT OUT THE FULANI FROM BENUE”, expressed worry that Alia’s tie with the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume may not go well with the security of the state.
Recall that Ortom had on several occasions accused Akume of supporting the Fulani herders, saying the former governor has never condemned the incessant killing happening in the state. Akume had denied the allegations, blaming the activities of the herders on Ortom’s inability to govern the state properly.
“My suspicion is that our oppressors want to use the face of the church to wreak more havoc on the fertile Benue lands. “Therefore, his success or not will have a dent, positive or negative on the Church depending on how he navigates between satisfying his sponsors and keeping the Benue lands safe, and away from the bloodthirsty herdsmen. Already, the herders are excited and moving into Benue with speed ”.Yup
However the Benue State Governor-Elect, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has strongly condemned the killing of 46 persons in Umogidi community, Otukpo Local Government Area of the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen. This is coming barely 24 hours after three persons were killed in the same village in a previous attack.
In a statement released on Friday by Donald Kumun, Deputy Director of Communications, Alia/OdeAbuja 2023 Campaign Organization, Fr. Alia expressed his sympathy and condoled with the families of the deceased, calling on the Umogidi community and the people of Benue State to remain calm and law-abiding despite their sorrows and pains.