Attacks by armed herdsmen in Benue state date back to 2011 when they invaded communities in Gwer West Local Government Area, which has since spread to about 20 out of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
The incursions led to the sacking of several communities and
the displacement of countless victims of the attacks. Presently, the dreaded
armed marauders have succeeded in not only sacking these communities they have
also occupied many of them while the locals are left languishing in Internally
Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps spread across the state.
Speaking on the matter, the Ter Tyoshin, and Chairman of
Gwer West Traditional Council, His Royal Highness, HRH Daniel Abomtse, stated
that “these attacks started in 2011. And so far all the Districts of Gwer West
have been occupied by armed herdsmen. The owners of the land have been sent
packing and they are congealed in the headquarters of the Local Government. All
of us are now in Naka. “In the communities the killer herdsmen are there, those
that are rearing animals are there, those that are committing banditry and
kidnappings are there.
“We cannot transverse Naka-Adoka road, same for Naka-Taraku
road and of course Naka-Makurdi road is a no go area, it is a death trap.
“In Kwande LGA as we speak more than six districts are under
siege. In Guma LGA it is a similar situation, out of the 10 districts none is
left. In Makurdi that has 11 districts, it is only the metropolis that is left according to the vangurdngr online report.
“In Logo most of the local governments have been taken over.
Ukum Local Government Area is the hotbed of attacks. The surrounding
communities of Otukpo local government are no longer safe, same with parts of
Agatu and Apa council areas. So, out of the 23 LGAs of the state more than two
thirds are gone. They are in the hands of the terrorists masquerading as
herdsmen. There is an urgent need therefore to liberate these LGAs and the
people. What we are facing in Benue is under-reported and it is not comparable
to what happens in any other state, not even Borno state.”
