The terrorists were well-armed with sophisticated weapons have allegedly launched attack on Yelewata, leaving a trail of destruction and death of innocent IDPs and farmers
By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
Contrary to insinuations that attackers of Benue communities are suspected Fulani herdsmen, the current invaders of Yelewata town in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State have been alleged to be terrorists of the Lakurawa sect who have relocated from the Northwest region into the North Central.
Recall that during the early hours of Saturday a large number of gunmen attacked Benue and the attack left not less than 200 persons believed to be Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, and other Tiv farmers including women and children dead.
The scenario has also resulted to burning of houses, stores and other valuable items including food stuff worth Billions of Naira belonging to victims.
A fleeing victim of Yelewata town who spoke with our correspondent, Saturday, in Makurdi, on condition of anonymity for fear of unknown attack, expressed worry why the pogrom and massacre on Yelewata is happening exactly on the day the extended deadline issued by the Tiv Traditional Council to the Fulani herdsmen to vacate Tiv land expired.
The fleeing victim further alleged that the Lukurawa terrorists believed to be foreign mercenaries who were initially camped in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, had recently relocated to Nasarawa state, specifically to areas such as Doma, Keana, Obi and Tunga for unknown reasons, blaming the bandits for causing the mayhem.
He said the terrorists were well-armed with sophisticated weapons have allegedly launched attack on Yelewata, leaving a trail of destruction and death of innocent IDPs and farmers.
Collaborating this information, while reacting to the Yelewata massacre in a statement, Saturday, leader of the Benue Valley Farmers, Chief Denen Gbongbon revealed that his group had informed both the Benue and Nasarawa states governments as well as traditional rulers about the impending attack as early as January this year, lamenting that his warning failed on deaf ears with no proactive action taken until the disaster occurred.
Gbongbon in the statement expressed frustration that he had even offered to provide more details to the authorities through his phone number +2347036349332 but his efforts were ignored.
While commiserating with those who lost loved ones in the dastardly attack, the leader of Benue Valley Farmers, urged government at all levels to take responsibility for its failure to act on the warnings as well as provide support to the affected communities.
Reacting to the attack, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Benue Command, DSP Udeme Edet confirmed the invasion of Yelewata town by suspected bandits but was silent on the number of casualties at the time of this report.
She said on getting the report, the police dispatched its tactical team to the town for reinforcement which responded swiftly to the attack engaging attackers in a fierce exchange, adding that some of the attackers were neutralised.
She also disclosed that some individuals lost their lives while those that sustained injuries are receiving treatment, assuring that the police are still in pursuit of the attackers and urged members of the public to remain calm as the situation has been brought under control.