Hundreds of armed Fulani militia have just arrived and deployed on Thursday at 6:30 pm Nigeria time in Chito Precinct, Ukum Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, North Central Nigeria, and are ready for imminent attacks on rural communities of Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala LGAs, Truth Nigeria reported.
The three LGAs are in the North East of Benue State shares border with Taraba and Nasarawa States and are commonly referred to as “Sankera.”
They have recently come under heavy attacks, kidnappings and killings by Fulani terrorists.
Truth Nigeria reported that residents of the three LGAs have been advised to exercise extreme caution, stay vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the Security Agencies.
This is just as SaharaReporters collaborated the reports, saying that gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have invaded some communities in the Ukum LGA, saying that they are armed with AK-47 rifles.
Saying that the herdsmen stormed the community around 04:15pm on Thursday, a resident said: “Our lives are in danger this evening, armed Fulani herdsmen, about 600 in numbers have taken over our communities this evening.
“They’re currently moving around towns in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. No security personnel at all, Governor Alia didn’t send security, they said operation will start soon once they (herders) have observed the place.”
The insecurity situation in Benue has been alarming in recent weeks with attacks from gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.
SaharaReporters had reported that suspected herdsmen again unleashed terror in Benue State, attacking three communities in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) on Wednesday, just a day after 11 people were killed in a deadly raid on Otobi community.
The latest victims of the escalating violence were Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju, communities that had previously suffered an attack in February, which left five people dead.
However, the renewed attack has created fear and mass displacement among residents, with women and children fleeing to safety.
Local sources say the death toll from the fresh attack remains unclear, but several casualties are feared.
Published with reports and picture from Truth Nigeria and SaharaReporters
