It seems there’s no end in sight to marauding herdsmen killing in Benue State. As both the federal and state governments continue the blame game and drag their feet, the herdsmen continue their attacks on several communities killing over 20 people in the process which prompted the House of Reps members in the state to call on the government to declare them terrorists.
The wanton killing by the herdsmen made the Benue Caucus, a group of House of Representative members from the state to call on the government to declare the herdsmen as terrorists. The group comprising of Honourables Dickson Takighir, Mark Terseer-Gbillah, Samuel Udende and John Dyegh said 24 people were killed between April 2 and 4.
The lawmakers also wonder why the military terminated Operation Cat Race instituted in the state to curb the herdsmen’s killings.
“These latest attacks have occurred in Ikyon and Agasha on April 3 and April 4, in Semaka, Asom, Babanruwa on April 3 and in Udei and Umenger on April 2. “They (killer herdsmen) are right now stationed at Nzorov council ward, ready to attack Gbajimba in the Guma Local Government Area. “There are others in Nasarawa, ready to attack Udei and Daudu with over 14 people killed in the last four days.
“Similarly, Sengev, Mbakyondo and Mbapa areas of Gwer-West Local Government Area are currently under siege by armed herdsmen. “In Tsegaase, two people have been killed; one person is missing in Zwatema, two killed in Tse Adeke, one killed in Tse Adudu with one missing in Tsekelefu. “So far, we have yet to confirm the casualty level in Enger.
“On April 3, four people were killed in Anyebe and one person at Mbavihi both in Tonbo ward of Logo local government. “We are calling on the Federal Government to immediately explain to Benue indigenes and the Nigerian people why the Operation Cat Race has already been terminated in Benue without a resolution of the issue. “We also demand that the government should deploy a proper military operation in Benue State and to also station military units in restive communities in Benue until the herdsmen menace has been dealt with.
“We urge the Federal Government to immediately declare these deadly herdsmen as terrorists in view of their inhuman, volatile and destructive activities. “The international community should pay more attention to this ongoing pogrom of Benue people. “We appeal for their intervention in the provision of aid to the over 190,000 internally displaced persons at different camps in Benue State.
“We believe it is only when these criminal and vicious elements are properly designated and treated as terrorists that the spate of killings will be put to rest,” said the spokesperson of the Benue Caucus, Hon. Takighir
