(Rose Ejembi – MAKURDI)
This was even as the Benue State Police Command says it has arrested eight herdsmen in connection with the attacks on Tomatar village in Sengev Council ward, Akor village in Nzorov council ward and Bakin Kwata village in Umenger council ward of Guma Local government area.
The Benue Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Moses Yamu, in a statement made available to Daily Sun, disclosed that six of the herdsmen were arrested in Guma Local Government Area while two others were arrested in Logo Local Government Area of the state.
Yamu said a total of 17 persons, including seven members of Benue State Livestock Guards were killed, their vehicles burnt and an uncertain number of persons injured in separate attacks between 31/12/2017 and 02/01/2018 while revealing further that more villages were being attacked by the invaders.
“Again, Agba-Uko near Azege village and Tse-Aga village of Logo Local government area experienced the same fate where one person was killed, one motorcycle burnt and four persons injured. All the injured from both local government areas are currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the State.”
The police image maker who revealed that the situation had been brought under control and investigation was ongoing said the Command acted promptly by deploying five combined teams of mobile and conventional Policemen to the scene in Guma led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, (ACP) Emmanuel Adesina and engaged the armed herdsmen in a gun duel, forcing them to retreat.
He explained further that the Commissioner of Police Bashir Makama has called for calm as proper additional deployments have been made to the troubled area and its environs for monitoring in order to forestall further occurrence and to restore confidence in the minds of the people.