- According to the Police, the casualties resulted from the invasion of the Sankera axis of Benue State by a large number of suspected militia
Seventeen people have been confirmed dead in Gbagir, Ukum Local Government Area and Logo Local Government Area, both in the Sankera axis of Benue State.
Global Upfront Newspapers (GUN) had on Thursday reported that hundreds of armed Fulani militia had arrived and deployed at about 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.
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” and have recently come under heavy attacks, kidnappings and killings by Fulani terrorists.
SaharaReporters collaborated the report, saying that gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have invaded some communities in the Ukum LGA, and that they are armed with AK-47 rifles.
Stating 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.”
On Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State, Sewuese Anene, in a statement said information was received that a large number of suspected Fulani militia invaded the Sankera axis of the State and that the Police moved in to engage them in Gbagir, where they had killed five persons.
The statement noted that while the Gbagir operation was ongoing, another group of militia simultaneously attacked the neighbouring Logo Local Government Area, killing 12 people and bringing the total death toll in the area to 17.
These killings have sparked wild speculations on social media, where it is alleged that suspected herdsmen invaded the area and killed about 100 persons, but the police have cautioned against unconfirmed rumours in dealing with casualty figures.
The Police statement reads: “Information was received that a large number of suspected militia had invaded the Sankera axis of Benue state with the intention to attack communities around Gbagir, Ukum Local Government Area. Upon receipt of this report, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command, CP. Steve H. Yabanet FCID, psc (+) ordered tactical teams to move to the area and join forces with police officers on ground and other security agencies to forestall the attack.
“Following this order, a team of officers moved to the area and engaged them. While the attackers were being repelled in the early hours of today, they shot sporadically at unsuspecting farmers as they came across them. Five (5) persons were recovered at the Gbagir area and taken to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead.
“Unfortunately, an unsuspected simultaneous attack was carried out in Logo, where twelve (12) persons were killed before the arrival of the police, making a total of seventeen persons. However, Security agencies withinthe Sankera axis are still engaging the bandits as they retreat back to the forest around the Taraba axis.
“The CP warns social media users who are reporting unconfirmed reports and inciting the general public to desist from such actions that are capable of creating unnecessary tension in the state. He reiterates his commitment to fight the attackers and encourages the good people of Sankera to continue to cooperate with the police as the operation is ongoing.”
