JUST IN: Benue cancels mass burial, prepares for Buhari’s visit

Benue State Government has cancelled the planned mass burial for
victims of Fulani herdsmen attack in Okpokwu.

The government had promised to accord all the 24 victims of the
Omusu Edimoga herdsmen attack a mass burial on Friday (today).

Governor Samuel Ortom made the announcement for the burial
during his visit to Omusu Edimoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area
of the state, where the attack took place on Monday, March 5,
2018.

The herdsmen were said to have invaded the community between 2pm
and 3pm on the said day, following an earlier allegation that
villagers had stolen some of their cattle.

Some children who were killed during the incident were said to
be returning from school.

Twenty four persons were said to have been killed during the
attack which left many people injured and several persons
missing.

In a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver
Akase, the governor said, “There wouldn’t be mass burial of victims
of Fulani herdsmen attacks in Okpokwu.”

No reason was given for the cancellation of the mass burial

The statement added that the burial will now take place next
week Thursday.

According to the statement, “A church service, followed by
burial of the victims, will take place on Thursday, next week at
Okpokwu.”

Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom has announced that President
Muhammad Buhari will be visiting the state on Monday.

Benue State Government has cancelled the planned mass burial for
victims of Fulani herdsmen attack in Okpokwu.

The government had promised to accord all the 24 victims of the
Omusu Edimoga herdsmen attack a mass burial on Friday (today).

Governor Samuel Ortom made the announcement for the burial
during his visit to Omusu Edimoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area
of the state, where the attack took place on Monday, March 5,
2018.

The herdsmen were said to have invaded the community between 2pm
and 3pm on the said day, following an earlier allegation that
villagers had stolen some of their cattle.

Some children who were killed during the incident were said to
be returning from school.

Twenty four persons were said to have been killed during the
attack which left many people injured and several persons
missing.

In a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver
Akase, the governor said, “There wouldn’t be mass burial of victims
of Fulani herdsmen attacks in Okpokwu.”

No reason was given for the cancellation of the mass burial

The statement added that the burial will now take place next
week Thursday.

According to the statement, “A church service, followed by
burial of the victims, will take place on Thursday, next week at
Okpokwu.”

Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom has announced that President
Muhammad Buhari will be visiting the state on Monday.