Herdsmen invade Benue prison, kill inmate

Suspected herdsmen invaded Jato-Aka Farm Centre in Benue state on Saturday, killing an inmate identified as Tersoo Agidi.

Stephen Nwanchor, public relations officer of the service in the state, confirmed this to NAN on Monday.

Nwanchor faulted the reports that the invasion was a failed jailbreak attempt.

“This is a new farm centre established in January, 2017. The herdsmen invaded the place, destroyed property, shot and killed one Tersoo Agidi, an inmate,” he said.

“We have evacuated all the remaining inmates from the farm centre to Gboko, pending the outcome of the investigation.

“We are not taking anything for granted. My comptroller is on top of the issue, and all relevant security operatives in the state have been notified.”

He said the service was investigating the invasion to ascertain the remote cause, noting that no arrest had been made so far.

Nwanchor said the service had tightened security in and around all its facilities in the state, assuring that there was no cause for alarm.

There have been persistent clashes between herdsmen and residents of the state.

Two weeks ago, Samuel Ortom, governor of the state, expelled herdsmen from Tombo-Mbalagh, a community in Buruku local government area of the state, following an attack that led to loss of lives.

Despite the action, the attackers still struck in Zaki Biam community, killing 18 persons.