Fulani Herdsmen Relaunch Attacks in Benue, Killing Over 50 Nigerians, Police Dispute Casualty Figures

BY: News Peddlers 

Fulani herdsmen

Fulani herdsmen have invaded six communities in the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, North Central Nigeria, less than a week before the governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday, March 11, killing at least 50 people.

Although police in Benue State stated that the number of casualties was not more than 50, they were unable to provide additional information.

The four-day attack affected the communities of Adam, Iyarinwa, Abamde Ityuluv, Waya Boagundu, Agura Ayaga, and Azege in Turan Council Ward, Kwande LGA.

Former Council Chairman Tertsua Yarkbewan, who confirmed the casualty figures while speaking to journalists on Monday, said the death toll could be higher.

Yarkbewan lamented the constant invasion and killing of his people by herdsmen, saying,

"My people are slaughtered like goats. There have been reports of Fulani attacks, particularly in Turan and the Kwande axis. Attacks are taking place in places where there were previously no attacks.

"Now, every day you hear that five or four people were killed, you cannot have the exact number of those that have been killed because some corpses are still in the bush and yet to be recovered. However, given the number of people killed in the last few days, I believe the casualty figures should exceed 50."

Catherine Anene, a spokesperson for the Police Command, confirmed the attack but stated that normalcy had returned to the affected communities.

Anene, on the other hand, insisted that the casualty figure was incorrect.

"They have not given me the report but it is not up to 50; the initial report they gave me there was a change of leadership of the division. The new DPO just arrived last Friday, and when I asked him for a situation report, he said the area is now calm," she explained.