11 killed as ‘herdsmen’ hit Benue again

At least 11 people have been killed in yet another attack by suspected herdsmen in Benue state.

The tragic incident happened less than a week after 20 people, including nine livestock guards, were killed in Guma and Logo local government areas of the state.

The latest attack took place at Tombu, a village in Logo local government.

Terver Akase, chief press secretary to the governor, confirmed the incident, describing it as worrisome.

Benue had been hit by a wave of protest over the killings.

Samuel Ortom, the governor, was stoned while trying to calm aggrieved protesters.

President Muhammadu Buhari had sent a high-powered delegation led by Abdulrahman Dambazau, minister of interior, to the state to commiserate with the people and also find a lasting solution.

Buhari had also directed the police to beef up security across the country.

Efforts to check clashes between farmers and herdsmen have not yielded the desired result.

Garus Gololo, a leader of Miyetti Allah cattle breeders in Benue, had said the new year attack was a reprisal for the alleged theft of cows.

Gololo said the herdsmen only defended themselves from thieves.