Suspected herdsmen have commenced attack on some Benue State communities killing no fewer than 24 persons.
The attacks carried out between April 2 and 4, this year, affected Ikyon, Agasha, Semaka, Asom, Babanruwa Udei and Umenger communities.
Members of the House of Representatives from Benue State made this known on Thursday while speaking with journalists.
Briefing journalists on behalf of his colleagues, Dickson Takighir said apart from the attacks on about seven communities, the herdsmen were already laying siege on some areas to carry out more attacks.
Said the legislator: “They (the herdsmen) are right now stationed at Nzorov council ward, ready to attack Gbajimba in Guma Local Government Area. There are others in Nasarawa, ready to attack Udei and Daudu with over 14 people killed in the last four days.
“Similarly, Sengev, Mbakyondo and Mbapa areas of Gwer-West local government area are currently under siege by armed herdsmen.
“In Tsegaase, two people have been killed; one person is missing in Zwatema, two killed in Tse Adeke, one killed in Tse Adudu with one missing in Tsekelefu.
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“So far, we have yet to confirm the casualty level in Enger. On April 3, four people were killed in Anyebe and one person at Mbavihi both in Tonbo ward of Logo local government.”
Worried by the latest development, the legislators wondered why the operation code named Cat Race and designed to restore peace in the area was stopped despite the unceasing attacks by herdsmen.
The legislators called on the federal government to declare the herdsmen as terrorists, and deploy troops to stem the tide of killings going on.
“We also demand that the government should deploy a proper military operation in Benue State and to also station military units in restive communities in Benue until the herdsmen menace has been dealt with,” he said.
