Fulani gunmen kill 15, destroy houses in Benue communities

Fulani gunmen yesterday invaded Ikyoawen in Moor District and Diiv as well as Alaba villages of Nzaav council wards all in Turan, Kwande local councils of Benue State killing 15 persons and destroying houses.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that the marauders first invaded Ikyoawen in Moor District on Sunday and killed four persons and later went to Nzaav District yesterday where they killed 11 persons.

He said the Fulani herdsmen had ransacked the areas five years ago and had been grazing in the areas causing panics to Tiv farmers who are the original inhabitants.

It was also learnt from the locals that the latest attack came as early as 7:00 a.m. when the people were preparing to go to their farms.

But the state co-ordinator, Myitti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Garus Gololo, denied knowledge of any killing or invasion of Turan community. He stated that it was just last week that 300 cattle belonging to Fulani were rustled by criminals.

Gololo, therefore, called on security agents to mobilise forces to the area to check criminality so as to restore peace in the communities.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) confirmed the death of two Tiv farmers. He said that the bodies of the victim had been deposited at the NKST Hospital morgue at Jato Aka in Kwande Local Council of the state.

He said police personnel had already been drafted to the area to maintain peace.