From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
Not fewer eight persons have been killed, including a father of seven, in a renewed attack by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen, in two communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue state.
Our correspondent gathered that while three people were killed Thursday night at Ngban, two others were killed at Nyian all in Guma LGA. As at the time of filing this report Friday night, the death toll had risen to right as officials big the LG said more persons were killed at Ngban on Friday.
A local who identified himself as Sunny, had told newsmen that five people were killed in separate attacks carried out in Ngban and Nyian by suspected herdsmen in two communities in Guma local government area of Benue State.
Irked by the killings, Benue women and youths numbering about 1000, on Friday, mounted a road block on Makurdi/Lafia federal road to protest the killing of five persons inna renewed attack by gunmen suspected to be herders.
The women who bore fresh leaves, chanting emotional songs in Tiv language blocked the highway at Gyungu Ortese axis, halting vehicular movement into and outside of Makurdi and refusing to leave the road until they are addressed by the state Governor.
Ortese community is hosting a camp where thousand of IDPs are taking refuge pending when they return to their ancestral homes.
Confirming the report, the security officer of Guma local government, Christopher Waku who said five people were killed by suspected herders earlier added that the number of deaths had risen to eight.
“Our women have trooped out to the Makurdi/Abuja federal highway since 5am today, you can hear from background how they are singing emotional songs and no vehicle coming from either Abuja or Makurdi can move now.
“The women are protesting the killing of five people yesterday (Thursday) night and this morning (Friday). As I speak to you the number of deaths have risen to eight because more were killed at Ngban” he said.
He also noted that, “The women have said they are not going to leave the road until the governor comes and talks to them. Right now, we are at the road, the women are protesting waiting for the Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia.
Ortese community has come under several attacks in the past with several persons killed and thousands displaced.
During the renewed attack on Thursday, a 49year old father of seven children, Simon Aondokaa, 32 year old Terhemen Ajiver among others were killed.
Some of the victims relatives, Yange Peter, and Aondoakaa Felix lamented the killings saying they can no longer bear the heart breaks.
Aondoakaa who lost two of his brothers said, at about 6:30 pm, they noticed unknown faces around their community and before long, the strangers started shooting sporadically killing his two brothers and others in the process.
“My elder brother has seven children. I don’t know how I will take care of them. The government should pls help us,” he said.
Meanwhile, according to the Security officer of Guma LGA, the Ter Guma, HRH Chief Dennis Shembega II, speaking on behalf of the state Governor, Hyacinth Alia appealed to the protesters to vacate the road and allow vehicles to move with a promise to visit soon and dialogue with stakeholders in the area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) Benue state police command, SP Catherine Anene confirmed the incident but said she does not have details yet.