• NAF eliminates over 100 terrorists in Zamfara
• Senator urges intervention in Plateau killings

Barely two months after over 200 persons were slaughtered in Yelewata, Benue State, the town has again come under attack, as unknown gunmen opened fire on farmers yesterday morning.

Three bodies were recovered and evacuated from farms after the incident.

Residents identified the three victims as Mr. Igyo Anya, Peter Shinku and Yooga Udegi.

A resident, who identified himself as Tyonongu, told The Guardian that gunshots were heard close to Yelewata in the morning. Security personnel were quickly mobilised to the scene, only to discover the lifeless bodies of the trio, who, he said, had gone to their farm in the morning along with others to get some food.

Yesterday’s attack sparked protests in the community. Women, waving fresh leaves, barricaded the Makurdi-Lafia highway, chanting dirges, and demanding that soldiers leave Yelewata for the barracks, and allow them to defend themselves.

A survivor, Tilenenge, said they were on their farms when the assailants pounced on them, firing sporadically.

He stated that while some of them were lucky to escape, several were still missing.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, DSP Udeme Edet, said that although she is aware that the Commissioner of Police, Dr. Emenari Innocent, had visited Yelewata, she was yet to be officially briefed.

But the Director-General of Homeland Security, Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan (rtd), confirmed the attack, adding that he could not give details due to the rowdiness of the situation.

The DG was in Yelewata with the CP to persuade the protesters to vacate the highway.

BESIDES, the military has neutralised more than 100 terrorists during coordinated airstrikes followed by ground assault and clearances in Makakkari Forest of Bukuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The development occurred in the early hours of Sunday when the thunder of military aircraft and the relentless advance of ground troops signalled the beginning of an operation that would leave over 100 bandits dead, their motorcycles smouldering, and their stronghold in ruins.

A security expert, Zagazola Makama, reported for weeks that intelligence operatives of Operation “FANSAN YAMMA” (OPFY) had tracked unusual movements across the Sunke, Kirsa, and Barukushe axis, which are well-known bandits’ havens.

According to him, reports indicated that more than 400 armed fighters, led by some of the region’s most feared kingpins, were massing in Makakkari Forest, targeting Nasarawan Burkullu, a farming community in the Bukuyum council area.

ALSO, following the recent attacks in Bokkos Local Council of Plateau State, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity and the Senator representing Plateau Central in the National Assembly, Diket Plang, has called for immediate intervention to arrest the pathetic situation.

Parts of the council area, including communities and villages in Mushere chiefdom, have witnessed violent assaults that resulted in the deaths of innocent people, devastation of farmlands, burning of houses, and displacement of indigenes.

The lawmaker, in a statement yesterday, strongly condemned the heinous act, which has a recurrence, and is wreaking havoc on the peace-loving people of the council area.

He noted that thousands of survivors have been forced to flee their communities.

Plang insisted that the coordinated attacks were carried out by foreign armed groups working with local accomplices under the cover of land grabbing.

He further called for strong collaboration among community leaders, vigilance groups and members of various communities, as well as active support from security agencies to address security concerns that threaten lives daily.

The senator, therefore, recommended that a good road network be built immediately to facilitate easy access for both troops and mostly farmer-civilian residents of Mushere.

He also advocated border patrol and the establishment of permanent military outposts in all strategic locations to enhance safety and allow displaced residents to return home.

Plang promised to use all legislative and diplomatic means within his reach to ensure the safety of his constituents and support law enforcers in their quest to bring peace to the entire senatorial district.