Gunmen kill 15 in Benue

Gunmen have killed at least 15 people in three villages of Logo local government areas of Benue State.

Daily Trust gathered that the gunmen suspected to be herders on Sunday and Monday afternoon invaded Tse Akaa, Mba’abaji and Tse Orlalu villages in Ugondo Mbanar District of Logo.

The State Commissioner of Police, Bashir Makama, has however confirmed that six dead bodies were recovered from two of the affected communities, adding that the herders were relocating from the surroundings when trouble started between them and the villagers.

Locals told our correspondent that three people were killed initially but that after yesterday’s attack, the death toll rose to 15 in all the three villages.

On his part, the State Coordinator of Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Garus Gololo, said that fight erupted between the herders and villagers because some Tiv speaking youths took it upon themselves to constitute hindrance to the cattle breeders who were only minding their business. Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom, yesterday also confirmed the attack on the communities during an interview with newsmen in Makurdi. He appealed to both parties to be calm in order to settle whatever misunderstanding they had amicably.

In the same vein, the Police Commissioner, has called on the rural dwellers to allow the herders exit through their vicinity peacefully as they were only leaving because the rains have started.