Herdsmen kill four persons in Nigeria's Benue State

Suspected herdsmen have reportedly killed four persons in Yelwata community of Guma Local Council of Nigeria's Benue State.

Three of the victims had gone to their farms and were working when the herdsmen stormed the area, killed them and disappeared.

The development reportedly angered youths in the area who used the lifeless bodies of the victims to block the Makurdi–Lafia highway for hours.

Efforts by the military, the police and other security agencies to get the angry youths off the road were said to have failed.

According to the Chairman of Guma Local Council, Caleb Abah, the fourth person was killed after one of the security personnel accidentally fired a shot into the crowd.

His words: “Sadly, in an attempt to disperse the angry youths who were resisting, there was a shot by the security agencies and one of the protesters was hit by a bullet and died.

“As we speak, calm has been restored to the area and we are already making arrangements for the dead to be buried.”

He acknowledged the efforts of Governor Samuel Ortom who quickly mobilised some government functionaries to the troubled area to calm frayed nerves, which resulted in the quick resolution of the uprising.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Catherine Anene, could not be reached at the time of this report.

In another development, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed concern over the delay by the Federal Government to investigate the arrested helicopter used in supplying Boko Haram and bandits food and arms.

Former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.) had denied ownership of the helicopter.

However, ACF spokesman, Emmanuel Yawe, said yesterday that the ACF issued a statement about a week ago calling for an immediate and transparent investigation into the allegation that a helicopter was distrusting weapons, foodstuff and other daily needs of the bandits, particularly in Niger State.

“Since our call, we have not received any reaction from the government or relevant security agencies despite that our call received wide media publicity.

“We wish to remind the government and her security agencies that this is not a matter that can be swept under the carpet, if we are serious about fighting insecurity in Nigeria.

"Niger State, which is said to be to the area of operation of the helicopter, shares a boundary with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and has been invaded and terrorised and is on the verge of being overrun by bandits of late.”