Dozens of locals are feared dead after suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked Umenger community in Guma local government area of Benue state.
According to the reports available to NIGERIANEWS.ca, the attackers butchered several persons, including children and some village elders on Thursday, March 22.
Among those killed in the latest attack, were one James Apav and Ataki Mageri.
The attackers also razed another village called Tse Sameka.
“Several persons have deserted their homes for fear of being killed by the heavily armed herdsmen,” a source quoted in the report said.
The attack has also been confirmed by the Benue state government.
Terver Akase, the chief press secretary of the Benue state governor has confirmed the attack.
“I can confirm that armed herdsmen this morning attacked Umenger community in Guma local government area of Benue state.
“The herders killed and injured some of the farmers who had gone to get food from their farms.
“While we condemn this unwarranted attack, we expect that the killers will be apprehended by security agencies and brought to justice,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Governor Ortom has pleaded with federal government to upgrade the Exercise Ayem A’ Kpatuma to a full military operation to effectively check the ongoing killings in the state’s rural communities.
Governor Ortom, who made this statement on Monday, March 19, while inspecting four Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs) camps at Abagana in Makurdi, said full army presence in the state may help to prevent the attacks.