The Fulani herdsmen militia is back on rampage killing 81 people in multiple attacks in Logo and Ukum local government areas in Benue State in central Nigeria.
Chief Jimmy Meeme, a traditional ruler of Logo told Channels TV that the Fulani militia killers killed 70 people in six of the 10 local council wards in his domain. He said that the terrorist herdsmen were on a “territorial occupation campaign”.
Survivors and victims of the attacks say that up to 81 people were killed in the attacks over a period of two weeks.
According to eyewitness accounts, co-ordinated attacks were carried out in Turan, Mbagber, Yonov and Tombo communities in Logo in one day. The Fulani militia, ranked as the world’s fourth most deadly terrorist group, also attacked Varser in Ukum Local Government leaving about 53 people dead.
Terkura Suswam, a community leader confirmed the attacks and urged the government to do more to take care of internally displaced persons, IDPS. Reports have surfaced of acute starvation and malnutrition in IDP camps in Borno State.
Kpadoo Asema, a matron in a local clinic in Anyiin community spoke with Channels TV decrying the government neglect and the general despair by IDPS in the camps. John Imenger, a manager of the IDP camp in the Anyiin also corroborated the matron’s account of the state of things in the camps.
A victim of the herdsmen attacks, Aseer Yuam recounted to journalists how the Fulani herdsmen murdered his son while he was going to farm to get food for his family in Tombo council.
The umbrella body for the Fulani herdsmen, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, a leading pressure group for the protection of Fulani herdsmen, which has Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has its grand patron, has promised to track down “those responsible for the attacks in Logo and Ukum”. This promise was made by the MACBAN State chairmen in Benue, Garus Gololo.
Garus Gololo, promised to track down those responsible for the attacks in Logo and Ukum.
Spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Moses Yamu admitted that there were deadly attacks in Logo and Ukum local government areas in Benue.
He, however, put the figure on deaths at 22. Yamu denied reports of neglect of duty by security personnel in the area.
