Over 30 persons have been reported killed in the Ayeti community of Ukum local government of Benue state in an attack that took place in the late hours of Thursday.
A source from the community who spoke to a journalist on Friday morning in Makurdi, the state capital, explained that the attackers were suspected to be local bandits and herders who have been terrorising the area for a long time.
Another resident in the community who spoke to the press anonymously for fear of harassment explained that the bandits who had formed factions in the local government were the masterminds of the attack. The source explained that the bandits’ faction, which belongs to the Ayongou factional group, collaborated with the Fulani militia in the area to launch the attack on Thursday night.
Shima Ayati, a local community leader and one-time governorship aspirant in local who spoke in the same line as the anonymous source, explained that the attack took place in the community and over 30 corpses had been recovered from the village.
He explained that a controversy sprang up after some groups in the community collected a large sum of money from some heads to graze animals in the two council world.
According to his explanation, the headers had gone to the community to graze, and conflict sprang up between the farmers, who contacted the government security personnel for assistance. The security personnel had successfully sent the herders, but the farmers burned down the headers’ makeshift tents, which provoked the headers.
In their arguments, the headers noted that they had paid money for the land. He further noted that the headers went on to collaborate with the bandits to attack the community.
Reacting to the attack, the state police command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the attack in the community; she explained that the officers in the local government had yet to provide the command with details.
“I’m aware there was an attack and I’m waiting for briefing from officers on ground.” She said,
Ayeti village in Ukum local government in the past months have been a deadly area in Benue state with several casualties recorded from the attacks that have taken place in the community.
The most famous activity in the community in recent weeks was the violent protest that destroyed government properties and some other private properties.
On Friday, the chief press secretary to the state governor, Tersoo Kula, released a statement condemning the attack.
The statement noted that the governor was saddened by the turn event, which resulted in the killing of 30 helpless individuals in the community who, according to him, did not provoke the attackers.
He explained that the state government have been making efforts to dialogue with groups in the state, but surprisingly, the attacks have continued on innocent citizens; according to the statement, the governor condemned the attacks in strong terms.
The governor noted that lawful means will be employed to protect the citizens of the state at all times. He further charged all individuals and security agencies to improve their surveillance and ensure that vulnerable communities are protected at all times.
The governor explained that the government was awaiting feedback from the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to bring out its findings on the causes of the conflict in the area.
He also sympathised with the families that have lost loved ones in the incident.
