No fewer than 63 corpses have so far been recovered after Fulani herdsmen and bandits launched a joint attack on Ayati community of Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), of Benue State on Friday.
Competent sources in the area told Saturday INDEPENDENT that the attack on the community which was carried out jointly by armed herdsmen and some local bandits between late hours of Thursday night and early hours of Friday morning.
The source further told us that the number of deaths could be higher, taking into cognisance that over sixty three corpses have been recovered, while scores were still missing. The locals have fled the affected area, following the attack on the community.
Although, the Benue State Command of the Nigeria Police has confirmed the attack, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, who on Friday morning promised to get back to us with more details about the incident failed to do so as at the time of compiling this report at about 4 pm on Friday.
SP Anene had claimed that she was yet to be briefed on the matter.
However, reacting to the incident, the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, who condemned the attack on the community called on security agencies in the state to step up their act and improve on their surveillance.
Even though the Governor was silent on the number of deaths recorded, he vowed that he would continue to use every lawful means to protect the people of the state, particularly, the people of Ukum LGA.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Friday, and signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS), to the Governor, Sir Kula Tersoo, said “Rev Fr Hyacinth Iormem Alia expresses deep sadness over the news of another unprovoked attack on Ayati settlement in Ukum LGA, where several people were reportedly killed.
“Governor Alia strongly condemns the attack on unarmed innocent citizens of Benue State by armed bandits, expressing worry that such heinous act has continued in the state despite strong security presence and the regular dialogue sessions his administration has been holding with stakeholders, and traditional rulers seeking the return of peace in Sankera.
“He, however, makes a firm determination to continue to use lawful procedures to protect Benue people, particularly Ukum which has been on the front line of attacks lately.
“The Governor calls on security personnel to improve their surveillance and also ensure that vulnerable communities are not left unguarded while the government awaits the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to bring out its findings.
“He condoles families that lost their loved ones in the attack, saying his thoughts of comfort and prayers are with them and with the entire people of Ukum LGAm
“Governor Alia adds that his administration will continue to explore both discreet and open measures with a view to ensuring that Sankera retraces her path of peace and live happily again,” Kula stated.
Narrating the circumstances that led to the attack, our sources in Ukum said, “We were told that some bandits received money from Fulani people, saying they sold out land to them, for the purpose of grazing and showed them land belonging to the people, the land is about two council wards.
“And as they commenced grazing they were also killing people and there arose a conflict between the herdsmen and the farmers who ran to the government and government dispatched the state security outfit which came and chased the Fulani people away and burnt their tents (ruga) and the herdsmen became angry.
“They (Fulani) said those people (bandits) claimed they have sold land to them and they went and met the bandits. So the herdsmen and bandits went to the village and carried out a massacre.
“As of this morning (Friday) over 30 corpses were gathered and they are still searching and to make matters worse after burning and scattering their tents the state security outfit decided to run away; instead of sleeping to guard the village, they withdrew and abandoned the villagers,” to their fate.
On his part, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mathew Aboh, who also hails from Ukum said, “I was informed on phone yesterday night that bandits were attacking and killing people at Ayati village.
“Today, I confirmed that the number of persons killed as I talk to you is 30 persons. They are still recovering corpses in the bush so the number is yet to be ascertained. Security has been deployed to that place to restore order”, the commissioner observed.
However, another source in the area told Saturday INDEPENDENT that as at about 3:30 pm on Friday, about 63 corpses have been recovered.
Efforts to get the Special Adviser on External Security, Lt Col Alex Igbaya Ashungu and his counterpart, the Special Adviser on Internal Security Chief Joseph Har, to comment on the incident failed, even though we gathered that they were in Ayati, for the better part of Friday.
