Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has cried out for federal intervention, saying that the state is under siege by Fulani herdsmen who have been on killing spree in the state.
Herdsmen had struck twice since Thursday, leaving a death toll of no fewer than 72 victims in two Benue communities.
The affected communities, according to reports, are in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas.
Ikengaonline learned that armed herdsmen on motorbikes stormed the affected communities and opened fire on any human being they sighted.
Several houses were equally set ablaze by the rampaging herdsmen.
Recall that the attacks came barely one week after similar attacks on Ikobi, Asa 2, Otobi-Akpa, Emichi, Okpomaju and Odudaje communities in Otukpo LGA, which claimed about 30 lives.
Scores were also wounded while many houses were set on fire by the herders.
Peter Obi had wanted to visit some of the survivors now squatting in Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, centres, when the Governor warned that the security and safety of any “VIP” (Very Important Personality) attempting to visit the state without his express permission, was not guaranteed.
Reports say that communities in Kwande LGA were also attacked by the killer herdsmen.
Gov. Alia who spoke while giving an update on the attacks, urged the Federal Government to quickly intervene and save the state from further unprovoked attacks by herdsmen.
He lamented: “Last night we got wind again that three dead bodies were recovered from the Katsina-Ala axis of the state, which means that the entire space out there is under siege again.
“We are under siege as a state; we are under attack, and those who are attacking us must have a face, must have an aim, and must have a drive. They come, they drag people out, they kill to occupy. This is extremely unacceptable.
“Barely three weeks ago, we had attacks in Otukpo, Benue South District; 13 dead bodies were recovered from that attack.
“This is a siege; barely one and half months ago, we did not have it easy to repel the terrorists in Kwande axis. So, if this is not a siege, what is it?
Benue has been turned into a slaughter ground by Fulani herdsmen for some years now.
The menace received a global outrage when 70 corpses of the victims were given mass burial in one day during the immediate past administration of Gov. Samuel Ortom.
