From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen militia have reportedly killed three Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Tse Nyamti, Mbabuade Council Ward in Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue state.
A former Camp Manager in Agagbe area of Gwer West, Terna Jacob, disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday.
Terna said the incident took place on Sunday evening, June 30, 2024.
He explained that the victims had gone to the farm in their village which was close to the camp where they had been taking refuge and were returning to Agagbe town when they met their untimely death.
He said, “On June 30, 2024, at about 4 pm, armed Fulani herders attacked and killed Mr Ameeya Solomon 38yrs of Tse Kuan in Mbabuande council ward, Mr Adagu Terwase 40yrs of Tse Abua in Mbapa council ward and master Orkaha Terkende 16yrs old of Tse Maihwa in Mbabuande council Ward near Tse Nyamti, Mbabuade council Ward on the road as they were coming back from their farms to Agagbe town to sleep as their homes are already been burnt down by armed Fulani herders.”
According to him, one of the survivors Orkaha Terfa, elder brother to the late 16-year-old Terkende, told him that they were ambushed at NKST church Tse Nyamti as they were coming back from the farm.
“Those wicked souls ambushed us at NKST church Tse Nyamti. We were coming back from the farm, very tired. Then suddenly the gunmen appeared from their hiding and everybody started running in his direction.
“I followed the direction towards Agagbe town while those killed face back to the villages. The armed Fulanis ran after us and concentrated on those who were running back to the village.
“I heard six gunshots and today the military went there with them and their bodies were picked.
He said two of the victims; Adagu Terwase and Orkaha Terkende have been buried while Ameeya Solomon’s body has been deposited at Agagbe mortuary.
The Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse, has confirmed the attack.
Abomtse who spoke through his media Aide, Mr Fidelis Igbaghee said two of the IDPs were staying in Naka camp while one was staying in Agagbe camp.
He said “They have been staying in the camps but as the crisis reduced, they bought chemicals and went back to their various places to spray and start farming.
“So on their way coming back, the attackers hid in the bush, ambushed them and killed them.”
He appreciated the security agencies for their assistance saying the police escorted the family members to evacuate the corpse from the bush for burial.
Our correspondent also gathered that on June 2024, herdsmen attacked Ikobi community of Apa LGA and killed a young boy on his farm while they also attacked Olegomachi of Agatu LGA on June 30 June 2024 and killed two persons and injured three others.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene and the Security Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Chief Joseph Har, said they were yet to receive the report.
