Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have reportedly killed about 30 persons and injuring scores after invading Ayati Community in Ukum local government area of Benue State.
The State’s Commissioner of Information, culture and tourism, Mr. Mathew Abo, who confirmed the incident on Friday said security agents had been deployed to comb the area, as more corpses were being recovered.
“I received reports this morning from my home local government that the local bandits yesterday (Thursday) night invaded Ayati community and so far, 30 corpses have been recovered and more corpses are being recovered from the surrounding bushes as security personnel are combing the area,” Abo said.
The commissioner described the attackers as local bandits who were fighting themselves for supremacy, adding that some of them are from Tine-Nune but have Ayati as their maternal home.
Abo stressed that the other party hail from Ayati but their maternal home is Tine-Nune, noting that if either side attack or kill from a rival community, the other side would mobilise for reprisal to ensure more casualties than what happened in their area.
Recall that Abo was kidnapped immediately after his appointment as the state’s information commissioner but was later released.
However, a community leader and one-time governorship aspirant in the state, Shima Ayati confirmed the attack, saying over 30 corpses have been recovered from the village while search continued to recover other victims.
He said, “What I heard is that some bandits received money from some herders to graze their animals in two council wards.
“As they were grazing, they came in conflict with farmers who ran to government. The government sent security who went and pursued the herders away. During the process, they burnt the herders’ makeshift tents.
“They herders became angry as they claimed to have given money for the land, so they went back to the bandits. The herders joined hands with the bandits to attack the village and massacre people.
“We have already gathered over 30 corpses. They are still searching.”
When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident was yet to get details of the attack.
She said, “I’m aware there was an attack and I’m waiting for briefing from officers on ground which will be made available to Journalists soon.”
