No fewer than 144 persons have been killed by herdsmen in the two North Central States of Plateau and Benue in the last two weeks, as the blood-letting continued late Tuesday, with the killing of at least 13 persons, while scores of others sustained injuries, with over 50 houses razed.
In the last two weeks, 104 persons, comprising 52 in Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) and another 52 in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State were killed by the marauding herdsmen, while at least 40 were also killed in Benue State.
In Benue, three persons were killed on April 3 when a Benue Links bus was ambushed at Ikobi community in Otukpo LGA while on April 10, two farmers were murdered by the marauders in Gwer West LGA.
Same day, three persons were killed at Mbasombo community also in Gwer East LGA, while the latest attack on Otobi Akpa in Otukpo LGA and the boundary with Nasarawa State claimed the lives of at least 13 persons, with several others declared missing.
The latest killings in Benue on Tuesday evening, came as Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State on Wednesday announced prohibition of night grazing, transportation of cattle by vehicles after 7:00 pm, and restriction of the use of motorcycles from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am across the state until further notice, as part of measures to ward off the marauding herdsmen.
The attack on Otobi Akpa community started at about 6:00pm from the popular Otobi junction when over 20 armed herdsmen in a commando style, shot sporadically at anybody they sighted.
TheY also set ablaze no fewer than 50 houses.
Unfortunately most the of the vigilantes who could have stopped them from entering the main town to perpetrate their mission, had moved to Adim village of Akpa to attend a burial.
The terrifying sounds of gunshots created palpable fear as many took to their heels, while others who were curious to know what was happening ran into the herdsmen who opened fire on them, killing at least 13 persons in the process, while many escaped with gunshot wounds.
Some other victims were butchered with cutlasses, with their brains scattered around the scenes they were killed.
Investigation revealed that the killer herdsmen invaded Otobi Akpa and other Akpa communities to resist the law against open grazing which stopped them from grazing their cattle in the area.
One of the elders of the community, Adikwu Ogbe, who lamented the attack, recalled that Otobi Akpa community was one of the most peaceful communities in Idoma land, noting that in the past, the community had lived peacefully with Fulani herders until recently when they (herders) started bearing sophisticated arms and threatening the locals.
Recall that about three weeks ago, a security guard with Otukpo dam was shot and dismembered by herdsmen who enter Otobi village and shot sporadically in a night attack.
At the time of filing this report, many residents were seen fleeing the community, while search for those missing was in progress.
There was also no sign of security presence in the affected areas.
Benue State Deputy Governor, Samuel Ode, in company of heavily armed security operatives, yesterday visited the area to sympathise with many of the residents who are currently taking refuge at the Federal Government College, Otobi.
He appealed to them to remain calm, assuring that measures were being put in place to end further attack by the killers herdsmen.
The community has become a ghost town as virtually everyone has fled the area for fear of another attack.
Meanwhile, On his part, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, said: “The Northern Governors Forum banned open grazing in February 2021, while the Southern Governors Forum banned open grazing in May 2021
“In 2022, the Federal Government adopted ranching as a solution to the violent clashes between herders and farmers.
‘’Because of the failure of the federal and the 36 state governments to implement the ban on open grazing, hundreds of people have been killed by armed herders and other gunmen.
‘’We call on President Bola Tinubu to direct the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army in Jos, and the AIG Zone 4 of the Nigeria Police Force in Jos to restore law and order in Benue and Plateau without any further delay.’’
We’re deeply pained with Plateau bloodshed — Northern Elders
In its reaction, Northern Elders Forum, NEF, expressed deep pain over the recent bloodshed in some communities in Plateau State.
NEF in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Prof Abubakar Jika Jiddere, described the killings as barbaric and a national disgrace.
It lamented that Plateau State that was once a symbol of unity, peace and cultural diversity in Nigeria, had now become a theatre of bloodshed and lawlessness.
The statement read: “The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, is outraged by the relentless and barbaric killings taking place in Plateau State. What was once a symbol of unity, peace, and cultural diversity in Nigeria has now become a theatre of bloodshed and lawlessness.
“The magnitude of violence being inflicted on innocent citizens is nothing short of a national disgrace, and a damning indictment of the Federal Government’s failure to discharge its primary duty of protecting lives and property.
“It is unacceptable that such acts of mass murder and destruction continue unabated, with little or no meaningful response from those charged with safeguarding the nation.
“The silence and inaction of the Federal Government can no longer be tolerated. NEF demands the immediate and massive deployment of well-equipped security forces to Plateau State to halt these atrocities and restore order.
“The government must not only apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators but must also do so swiftly and decisively. The blood of innocent Nigerians cries out for justice, and there must be no sanctuary for those who orchestrate or enable these horrors.
“We further demand that the Federal Government provide adequate compensation to victims and affected communities who have suffered unimaginable loss. An independent investigative panel must be established without delay, and its findings must be made public to ensure accountability and prevent further bloodshed.
First published by Vanguard
