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MAKURDI – About 23 persons may have been killed by Fulani militia herdsmen during an attack on Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State on Wednesday.
Daily Independent gathered that the attack which commenced about 6:32p.m on Wednesday, and lasted for over 3 hours, also learnt that scores have been declared missing.
Although there has been disparity in the figures from our sources in the area, we gathered that the number of deaths from the attack could be higher.
Even though the Benue State Command of the Nigeria Police confirmed the incident, it was not able to readily make available details of casualties.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, who confirmed the attack, said, “The attack in Anyiin is confirmed but there are no details at the moment. More information will be communicated to you as soon as I receive it.”
According to an elder in the area, Joseph Anawa, “In a coordinated operation, the Fulani terrorists took residents unawares, surrounded the town and shot sporadically into the air as people scampered for safety as they ran into their well orchestrated ambush.
“The attackers numbering over 200 were heavily armed with dangerous weapons such as AK47 among other sophisticated guns raided the town in an operation that lasted for about 3 hours.
“The security operatives stationed in the town were overwhelmed because of the invaders’ large number.
“This is the second attack in one month by the Fulani terrorists. On October 9, 2024, Fulani militia attacked Ayilamo town, the headquarters of Tombo council ward and killed scores of people.
“Displaced communities of Ukemberagya, Tswarev, Mbawar, Gov, Mbainange, and Tombo, among others, are taking refuge in Anyiin town. Meanwhile people are deserting Anyiin town for fear of the unknown.”
Anawa, therefore, pointed out that “the federal and state governments should collaborate and revisit the abandoned Mobile Police Barracks project near Anyiin along Akwana-Anyiin-Wukari road in order to provide maximum security in the flash point.
“Representatives of the affected communities at the state and national levels should also rise to the occasion and beef up security in Gaambe-Tiev communities so that farmers can go to their farms during this harvesting season”, he pleaded.
He said among those that were killed are Orihundu Ati, a retired primary school supervisor and the son of the Kindred Head of Mbawuave, Zaki Mbatern, as well as the son of Tordoo Suswam, an erstwhile Chief of Staff to a former Logo LGC Chairman and the son of Mr. Uyange Chembe, younger brother to the late District Head of Ukemberagya, Zaki John Chembe.
