Tension As Armed Herders Invade Four Benue Communities

Tension has risen in four communities in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State after armed herders invaded, causing people to flee.

The affected areas include Turan, Yonov, Tombo, and Nenzev wards.

According to reports, the herders have invaded and taken several villagers hostage.

Daily Trust reports that one Joseph Anawah, a community leader disclosed that the armed herders came to their community in thousands on Tuesday.

While an official statement from the police in the state has not been made available at the time of filing this report, the secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State chapter, Ibrahim Galma said he was out of town but would comment when he has details.

Bandits Attack 300 Communities, Abduct 200 in Niger State

In another report, the Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello has decried the incessant attacks on communities in the state by bandits.

Bello said in the past 16 days, about 200 people were abducted while 300 communities were attacked.

The governor made this known to state house correspondents at the presidential villa shortly after meeting with the president on Tuesday.

While noting that 165 civilians and 30 vigilantes were among the casualties of the attacks, he said normalcy will be restored in the next two weeks.

The governor stated that “In January this year alone, we suffered not less than 50 reported attacks and loss of lives, between 1st and 17th January.

“Within the same period, not less than 300 communities have been invaded by bandits. The number of people kidnapped is 200, including three Chinese nationals. We also lost some security personnel. Their number is 25."

He further lamented that more work is needed due to the shared border between his state and Kaduna, Zamfara, and Kebbi States.