By Matthew Ajai-Kume
People suspected to be armed Fulani herdsmen on Friday attacked the people of Tse Angbande community in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, killing four persons and seven others badly wounded.
The four persons killed by the armed Fulani herdsmen are: Mr Innocent Akwa, Mr Terhemba Akwa, Timothy Akwa and their in-law, simply identified as Orban.
Addressing the people of Tse Angbande community Saturday, during an assessment of the area, Governor Samuel Ortom condemned the barbaric act, describing it as unacceptable and uncalled for.
Governor Ortom assured the community of adequate security agencies deployment to curb the usual guerilla pattern in which the armed Fulani herdsmen strick the area.
The governor, while lamenting the unlawful killings said the militia struck the community around 11:00PM, when most of the residents of the community were sleeping.
“I want to assure the people of the community that, security has been beefed up to ensure 24 hours surveillance in the area to prevent any other eventuality,” Governor Ortom stated.
Governor Ortom explained that, just a few weeks ago, armed Fulani herdsmen attacked Tse Tyohemba in the same Makurdi Local Government Area, where they killed a husband and wife but security agencies trailed them and apprehended three.
He urged the people of the community to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure peace, protection of lives and property.
Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom Saturday, addressed the people of Adaka community, also in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State and called on them to be law abiding, as well as continue to support the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, no matter the attacks by enemies of the law.
Governor Ortom maintained that, there is no going back on the enforcement of the law, even as he appealed to all to support it to succeed.
Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom acknowledged President Muhammad Buhari’s directives to security agencies to tackles bandits and terrorists operating in Nigeria.
The governor stressed this Saturday, in a chat with journalists, when he visited victims of the armed Fulani herdsmen attack from Tse Angbande community, Makurdi Local Government Area, at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.
Governor Ortom stressed that, his administration would not relent in the commitment to end the menace of armed Fulani herdsmen attacks in the state.
He assured that, he will take care of the treatment of all the wounded, while he prayed for their quick recovery.
