Again, herdsmen kill three in fresh attack on Suswam’s hometown

Palpable fear and pandemonium have gripped Tsukwa, a suburb of Anyiin, headquarters of Logo Council of Benue State, following an attack by armed herdsmen on Thursday night into yesterday morning, killing three persons and injuring three others. 

Anyiin is the hometown of a former governor of the state, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, and hosts the two biggest Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps. It also serves as a base for Special Forces sent to the area to maintain peace. 

Speaking with The Guardian on telephone, Chairman of the local council, Mr. Richard Nyajo, disclosed that the armed herdsmen had between 7:00pm and 8:00pm on Thursday laid ambush in Tsukwa, near a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), located along Anyiin-Ayilamo Road, where they shot six passersby, killing three persons instantly.

Nyajo said another three victims were seriously injured and receiving treatment at the NKST Hospital, Anyiin.

Also, a resident of the area, Joseph Anawa, said the herdsmen came through Nasarawa State to launch the deadly attack on the people.

He added that the attack caused many people living around the area to flee their homes to the two IDPs camps in Anyiin main town.

Anawa further disclosed that the same herdsmen went to attack another close settlement, Azege, the same day, but were repelled by the security forces.

Sources in the area said it took some time before the security forces arrived at the village to repel the attackers, after which the dead and injured victims were recovered

It would be recalled that barely five days ago, armed herdsmen attacked and killed an Igbo trader in Anyiin town, Daniel Abuchi, along Anyiin-Gbeji road. 

Confirming the attack, Benue State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, explained that two of the victims died immediately at the scene and another in the hospital, while three others who were seriously injured, were being treated at an undisclosed hospital.