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From TERESE TUHWA, Makurdi
At least nine persons have been reportedly killed, many others beheaded and injured as suspected armed Fulani Herdsmen launched a surprise attack on a community hosting the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp Abagena, a surbeb in Makurdi Local government area.
Addressing the visibly panicky mourners and members of the community, Executive Secretary, Benue state Emergency management Agency Dr. Emmanuel Shior described the attack as inhuman, barbaric and unacceptable.
He pointed out that there was no reason whatsoever to have warranted such a heinous attack on helpless people who have accepted their fate to stay in the IDP camps for safety.
He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to live up to his responsibility to safeguard lives and properties of Nigerians. “My heart breaks a thousand times at the rate things keep degenerating to an extent that you never can tell who will be the next victim.”
While lamenting the failure of president Muhammadu Buhari to live up to his constitutional responsibility of defending the country against Fulani Herdsmen attracts, terrorism and other criminal attacks by criminal elements in the country, he said “whether civilian or law enforcement agent, you can fall victim.”
“It’s a shame that the President who is the Chief Security Officer of the country wouldn’t rise up to defend the people who entrust their mandate into his hands.”
He however said the people should continue to support Governor Samuel Ortom for his stance against the invaders with the hope that the country will one day attend to the cries of Benue people and assured the panic IDPs to have faith in governor Ortom’s administration as security will be beefed up in the area to avoid future occurrence.
While commiserating with families of the deceased, the SEMA boss prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command Wale Abass also commiserated with families of the deceased and promised to station policemen in the area for surveillance.
Mue Ter Ihyarev in Makurdi Local Government Area Chief Simon Ajoh expressed disappointment over the frequent attacks on the community and called on Federal Government to intervene.
One of the victims Mr. Isaac who escaped death by whiskers said some of the IDPs on hearing gunshots ran into the bush to escape being killed.
Some of the IDPs and locals said the herders who stormed the community around 9: PM last night shot sporadically, killing nine IDPs who were asleep.
