Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have attacked three local government areas of Logo, Tarka and Guma in Benue state killing 25 persons.
Reliable sources from the areas say the attacks took place simultaneously on Monday night.
As at the time of writing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Catherine Anene, when asked to confirm the incident, said she was in the company of the state Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, and other senior police officers on a visit to the communities to ascertain the level of attacks.
She said a statement will be issued to journalists on return, “I am currently at the scene of incident with the commissioner of police. I will communicate you soon.”
Meanwhile, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Samuel Ortom on Animal Husbandry, Shehu Tambaya, condemned the attack describing it as sad and unfortunate.
Tambaya who expressed shock over the murder of over 25 persons by suspected herdsmen in one night, vowed that the attackers must all be brought to book.
He, however, urged Benue people to remain calm and law abiding, promising that the state government would ensure that justice is rightly served on this matter.
He warned the invaders that Benue has a law in place prohibiting open grazing and no amount of attack would intimidate the state government into repealing that law.
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He warned those who are in the habit of flouting the law to start obeying the law or be prosecuted.
“If it is because of the Benue’s Grazing law that these people are attacking and killing our people, then they have failed because no amount of intimidation will make us repeal this law.
“Our grazing law has come to stay and anybody who wants to do livestock business in Benue State must be ready to obey the law. If not, such person should go elsewhere where the law is not in operation.
Killing our people without any form of provocation is what we will not accept. The earlier these people understand this, the better for all of us. We will not relent in ensuring that the security agents go after the attackers and if caught, they will be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.”
