TheCable

At least 23 residents have been reportedly killed by gunmen in Mbadwem and Tiortyu communities of Benue state.

The communities were said to have come under attack on Monday night.

Nathaniel Ikyur, chief press secretary to the Benue state governor, said 15 persons were killed in Tiortyu, Tarka LGA, while eight others were killed in Mbadwem, Guma LGA.

Ikyur said many residents were injured during the attack and are currently receiving treatment in a hospital in the state.

“No fewer than 8 persons were mowed down on Monday night by Fulani herdsmen who invaded Mbadwem in Guma local government area and 15 in Tiortyu in Tarka local government area of Benue state,” he said.

‘DEFEND YOURSELF OR BECOME EXTINCT’

Reacting to the incident, Samuel Ortom, Benue governor, reiterated the call for residents of the state to defend themselves against gunmen.

“It is becoming increasingly glaring every day that my people are now endangered species and so we can no longer wait for help from anywhere,” the governor said.

“My people will have to rise up to the occasion to defend themselves and their heritage…

“We are law-abiding citizens. We have cried for help against these invaders but nothing is forthcoming. We are left alone and it looks like it is a deliberate strategy. Now we have only one option; to defend ourselves or get extinct. This is a case for our survival.

“We have been accommodating of other people in our land but our hospitality is misconstrued as weakness. We are not a conquered people. We will never be. We are free born citizens of Nigeria.”

BENUE AND REPEATED CASES OF VIOLENT ATTACKS

Over the past few years, Benue state has witnessed a spate of violent attacks, which has led to the destruction of lives and properties.

The violent attacks in the state have often been attributed to the conflict between herders and farmers.

In March, scores of persons were killed in Guma, Kwande and Gwer west LGAs of the state.

To curb the attacks and clashes, Ortom, on May 22, 2017, signed the Benue anti-open grazing bill.

Despite the law in place, clashes between herders and farmers as well as killings have continued in the state.