Presidency Yet to Release a Statement as Herdsmen Attacks Leave 81 Dead in Benue State (Graphic Photos)

Graphic photo from the herdsmen attack

 

On Sunday, a group of suspected armed herdsmen invaded the Nenzev ward in Logo Local Government Area of Benue state at about mid-day and reportedly killed six persons who among the victims was the leader of Gabu community in the state, identified as Zaki Dadi Gabu.

 

According to residents, the latest killings increased the number of deaths from herdsmen attack to 81 in the last two weeks.

 

Speaking with Channels Television, the traditional ruler of Logo council area in Benue state, Chief Jimmy Meeme, has spoken out on the invasion of rural communities in the state, saying, 70 persons were killed in six out of the 10 council wards in his domain, and blamed the sustained attacks on his people by the herdsmen on territorial occupation campaign.

 

Victims of the herdsmen attack

 

Eyewitnesses also claim that Turan, Mbagber, Yonov and Tombo communities in Logo council area were attacked on the same day while Varser in Ukum Local Government came under siege, leaving 53 persons dead.

 

A community leader, Terkura Suswam, also made a case for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

 

In Anyiin community, the matron at a local clinic, Kpadoo Asema, and the IDPs camp manager, John Imenger, spoke on the treatment and how the displaced persons were fairing in the face of lack and despair.

 

 

One of the IDPs in Anyiin camp, Aseer Yuam, grieved over the gruesome murder of her son by herdsmen in Tombo council ward while attempting to fetch food for his family from the farm.

 

The State Coordinator of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Garus Gololo, promised to track down those responsible for the attacks in Logo and Ukum.

 

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, lamented the inability of the security agencies to arrest the perpetrators of the coordinated attacks.

 

In his reaction, the spokesman of the Benue State Police Command, ASP Moses Yamu, dismissed allegations of neglect of duty by security personnel, and insisted that only 22 deaths were recorded in Logo and Ukum local government areas.

 

 

As the news of the resurgence of herdsmen attacks continue to make rounds online and social media, the question on everyone's lips are...'Will the silence on the presidency continue?'.

 

Recall that President Buhari condemned in strong terms, the killing of 50 people in the Unites States night club, less than 48 hours after it happened. The Saudi Arabia bombing was also addressed by the president, less than 24 hours after the attack.

 

It can also be recalled that on democracy day, Buhari addressed virtually all the issues bedeviling Nigeria as a nation, but conspicuously said not a word about the herdsmen killings, driving a narrative among Nigerians that he, a cattle owner, was in support of the herdsmen.

 

Another 81 souls gone in Benue state, and the presidency has said nothing at all about Benue killing. Will this silence continue?

 

Photo credit: DailyPost