About two persons, including a policeman have been killed by suspected
herdsmen in the troubled Guma local government area of Benue State.
The incident came barely 24 hours after the same armed men attacked the LG, killing four persons.
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom confirmed this when he received in
audience former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso who
paid him a condolence visit.
Ortom said, “As am talking to you now two persons including a policeman have been killed in my local government, (Guma).
“A farmer was slaughtered and burnt down, many others are still
missing, the injured ones have been brought into hospital in Makurdi.”
The governor said that those who were complaining that he was talking
too much about the killing of his people by herdsmen would continue to
hear him talk until justice was given to his people.
“People who are saying that I am talking too much should give me justice and I will keep quiet.
“These people are not just grazing but are coming to take over our
land. And they want me to keep quiet. How can I keep quiet? As long as
there is no justice, I will continue to shout, talk and sing,” he said.
He reiterated the call for the arrest of the leadership of Kautal
Hore whom he accused of threatening attacks on the state and still went
ahead to carry out their threat.
“Benue remains the food basket of the nation. This is happening at a
time the farmers are harvesting their crops. We look forward that the
resolution of the Senate would be implemented. These people are not just
grazing but are coming to take over our land,” he said.
Earlier, Senator Kwankwaso who led members of his Kwankwasiya
Foundation to pay a condolence visit to the people of the state
condemned the perpetrators of the attacks not only in Benue but across
the country.
He added that, “We are here to condole with the government and entire
people of the state over the loss of 73 people. I join the good people
of the country to condemn those who perpetrated the killings and similar
acts in Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa and other states of the country. I
believe it’s time leaders join hands to condemn the act and ensure such
acts doesn’t happen again in the country.”