About five persons have been allegedly killed by suspected Fulani militants in Ahentse community in Ndzorov council ward of Guma local government area of Benue state.
Sources in the area who didn’t want to be named told journalists that “at the early hours of Tuesday, 8th March, 2022, suspected Fulani herdsmen unleashed terror on Ahentse community in Ndzorov council ward of Guma LGA.
According to them, the operation lasted about two hours leaving five persons dead and several others sustaining various degrees of injuries.
“The gory sights of the maimed and the injured are, indeed, nauseating.
“What becomes instantly worrisome about the attack is the fact that an army unit is stationed at Iordye settlement, which is less than five kilometers from Ahentse, the attacked community. And that army unit is stationed there for the singular aim of protecting the inhabitants of the communities around the axis.
“One begins to wonder that invaders would come from Awe, in Nasarawa state, the obvious point of entrance, through Damkor, through Iordye where an army unit is stationed, down to Ahentse to cause such mayhem and flee unchallenged.
“Of what essence is the army unit at Iordye if they could hear gunshots emanating from sophisticated arms but choose to stay away, unperturbed?
The villagers expressed worry that even when some of the wounded persons ran to the army unit and reported the incidence, it took the officers over one hour to come to the scene.
They reported that the last casualty was shot when the army contingent arrived, yet they couldn’t not react.
“Instead, when the attackers fled, and the attacked registered their displeasure, the soldiers turned aggressive, warning the victims of the assault not to attempt any form of retaliation and should they do so, they would be severely dealt with.
They also expressed reservations on the fact that when the Chairman of Guma LGA arrived at the venue, in company of the Ter Guma, and others sons of the land, the soldiers at the scene simply walked out on them.
“Doesn’t this stink of a conspiracy? Ordinarily, the soldiers should have stayed put to have an interface with the chairman and Ter Guma.
The villagers insisted that “Serious questions must be asked of the sincerity of the army in their designated role in protecting the defenceless, hapless citizens.”
Chairman of Guma LGA, Mr. Caleb Aba, confirming the incident.
READ ALSO: IWD: Save The Children International Wants An End To Violence Against Girls, Women
He stated that “In the early hours of Wednesday 8th, 2022, between 4 and 5:30 am, some herders came from the direction of Nasarawa State, precisely Awe local govt area, and attacked Ahentse village killing about five people and two people sustained various degrees of injuries who are receiving treatment at the General hospital, Gbajimba.
“For the dead, I was there to witness and I ensured that they were buried in order to reduce tension caused by the attack.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Benue state, CP Wale Abass, has confirmed the killing in Guns local government.
The commissioner who spoke through the command’s Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Catherine Anene said four persons were killed.
“The killing in Gbajimba, Guma Local Government Area is confirmed. 4 persons were killed and 1 person is currently receiving treatment. Investigation is on going,” Anene said in a telephone message.
