Suspected Fulani herdsmen sack Benue community, kill village head

Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday afternoon unleashed mayhem on Chembe
settlement in Ukemberagya/Tswarev council ward of Gaambe-Tiev, in
Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, killing a village head,
Mr. Iyongovihi Ninge.

An eye witness from the area, Joseph Anawah, told our
correspondent through a text message that the attackers came with
hordes of cattle, plundering yam seeds that have been planted.

He said that the invaders opened fire on Ninge who was clearing
his field in readiness for cultivation.

“The village head was shot on the back and he died on the spot,”
the eyewitness said.

He added that no arrest was made despite the nearness of the
scene of the incident to a military camp stationed in the area.

“The marauder. opened fire on Chief Iyongovihi Ninge who was
clearing his field in readiness for cultivation.

“On hearing the gunshots, everyone within the area ran away,
though we cannot at the moment ascertain if more persons were
killed, as several families were lamenting that they could not
trace their family members,” he said.

Anawah further disclosed that the Chembe community and
adjourning villages at the moment have been deserted, while the
rampaging herdsmen freely graze on people’s farmlands.

When contacted, the Logo LG council chairman, Mr. Richard Nyajo,
who confirmed the attack, said he had received report that the
Chembe village head was killed in the attack.

“It is very true; herdsmen attacked Chembe and killed the
village head. That was the information that reached me this
afternoon.

“We learnt that after killing the village head, the herdsmen
pursued the people of the community who fled from their farms and
homes on hearing the sound of gunshots.”

Nyajo, who could not give the number of casualties at the time
of this report, said he had already notified security personnel
about the attack and they had moved to the community to repel the
attackers from the area and also assess the situation.

“As we speak, I cannot tell you that more persons were killed
until we get the feedback from the security personnel that went
into the bush.”

When contacted, however, Police Commissioner in charge of Benue
State, Fatai Owoseni, said he was yet to receive reports of the
attack.

Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday afternoon unleashed mayhem on Chembe
settlement in Ukemberagya/Tswarev council ward of Gaambe-Tiev, in
Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, killing a village head,
Mr. Iyongovihi Ninge.

An eye witness from the area, Joseph Anawah, told our
correspondent through a text message that the attackers came with
hordes of cattle, plundering yam seeds that have been planted.

He said that the invaders opened fire on Ninge who was clearing
his field in readiness for cultivation.

“The village head was shot on the back and he died on the spot,”
the eyewitness said.

He added that no arrest was made despite the nearness of the
scene of the incident to a military camp stationed in the area.

“The marauder. opened fire on Chief Iyongovihi Ninge who was
clearing his field in readiness for cultivation.

“On hearing the gunshots, everyone within the area ran away,
though we cannot at the moment ascertain if more persons were
killed, as several families were lamenting that they could not
trace their family members,” he said.

Anawah further disclosed that the Chembe community and
adjourning villages at the moment have been deserted, while the
rampaging herdsmen freely graze on people’s farmlands.

When contacted, the Logo LG council chairman, Mr. Richard Nyajo,
who confirmed the attack, said he had received report that the
Chembe village head was killed in the attack.

“It is very true; herdsmen attacked Chembe and killed the
village head. That was the information that reached me this
afternoon.

“We learnt that after killing the village head, the herdsmen
pursued the people of the community who fled from their farms and
homes on hearing the sound of gunshots.”

Nyajo, who could not give the number of casualties at the time
of this report, said he had already notified security personnel
about the attack and they had moved to the community to repel the
attackers from the area and also assess the situation.

“As we speak, I cannot tell you that more persons were killed
until we get the feedback from the security personnel that went
into the bush.”

When contacted, however, Police Commissioner in charge of Benue
State, Fatai Owoseni, said he was yet to receive reports of the
attack.