In Benue State’s Kwande Local Government Area, numerous towns have experienced fatalities as a result of attacks by alleged herders.
According to witnesses, several people are still missing, some of whom have multiple gunshot wounds and burned homes.
According to a local, the attacks started just one week ago and intensified over the weekend, spreading to the Moon, Mbaikyor, Mbadura, and Ilyav council wards in the Kwande LGA.
However, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) reported that recent conflict over the removal of animals between local guards and herders in the impacted areas.
Herders were murdered during the conflict, according to the group, but peace was currently being mediated by military officials and other security organisations in the state.
When contacted, Flying Lieutenant DO Oquah, the new public relations officer for Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), stated that the issue had been rectified.
Oquah, who was unable to confirm the death toll, said, “I cannot truly tell because I’m not there. I am not aware of the death toll.
Major General Kevin Aligbe, the Force Commander of OPWS, invited the village chiefs, youth leaders, and Miyetti Allah delegates today. They showed up today after he met with them to discuss how to fix the problems (Monday). Not that we’re unaware; in fact, we are,” he insisted.
According to the witnesses, the attackers began their attack from River Moon before moving on to neighbouring rural areas, forcing the locals to flee their houses.
Tertsua Yarkwan, a former council chairman of the Kwande LGA, told our correspondent over the phone that, while the situation there is still unclear, all that has been reported is a herdsmen’s attack, particularly on the Turan district, to the point where previously unaffected areas are now under siege.
“You hear about four people being killed in one place every day and five in another. They are finding bodies, but there are also missing people who are unaccounted for.
The ancient home of the Tiv people, Jato-Aka, Ugbe, Iyon, Ityuluv, Injov Tyopaver, Kendev, and Maav were all attacked over the weekend, according to villager accounts.
The attack, which in his opinion began a few days before the February 25 presidential election, claimed the lives of three members of his family, according to Bem Tseen, an ex-chairman of Kwande who spoke to journalists in Makurdi.
“It had been on and off, but it became serious a few days ago,” he stated. As the alleged armed herders began attacking our settlements from all angles, we were at home. We share borders with Taraba State, the Republic of Cameroon, and the Katsina-Ala LGA.
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“We were all concerned that they may target Jato Aka, which is where the Turan region is concentrated. People can be found all over Jato Aka if you go there. In reality, four to five council wards have been impacted, stretching from Abande to Anwase side down to Kashimbila, Anyase extending to Mbahan. We are completely perplexed when you hear gunshots coming from several directions. Three members of my family are dead while I speak to you.
The council wards of Mbaikyor, Mbadura, Moon, and Ilyav, as well as Swem Hills, have all been looted.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) who just started working in the area, SP Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue Command, claimed she had not yet received information on the incidences.
Anene said that the area had returned to peace as of Monday afternoon, according to the new DPO in charge of the Kwande LGA.
Ibrahim Galma, the state secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, reported a recent altercation between local guards and herders in the impacted areas over the confiscation of their animals.
He added that some herders were also slain during the process, but that military officials and other security organisations were mediating calm in the state over the unrest in the Kwande, Apa, Guma, Gwer West, and other areas.
All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), among other stakeholders, were present at the peace meeting called by the commander of the OPWS Force, according to Galma.
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