At least five people have been feared killed in the fresh
crisis between Fulani Herdsmen and farmers in Ichama area of Okpokwu Local
Government Area of Benue State. Read more
Daily Sun gathered from sources that the Fulani herdsmen
invaded the area killed five people and made away with 40 cows belonging to the
Catholic Diocese of Otukpo.
The invasion had led to the mass movement of people to safer
areas.
Confirming the report, Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government
Area, Mrs Julihana Obeta said only one person was killed, adding that the corpse had been deposited at St. Mary
Catholic Hospital in Okpoga.
Mrs Obeta said there was an unconfirmed report last week
that a truck brought some Fulani herdsmen to Ichama, adding that on hearing
that, she promptly alerted the police who immediately swung into action but
could not trace the invaders.
“Unfortunately,
the herdsmen later attacked the community on Monday night killing one person
and carted away 40 cows belonging to Catholic Diocese at Ichama. As I am
talking to you now many people, mostly children and women are fleeing the area
while we are trying to camp them.”
Obeta said police had dispatched men to the troubled area to
beef up security and urged the people of the area to remain calm and be law
abiding, saying the council was on top of the situation.
Secretary of Miyetti Ala Cattle Rearers Association, Garus
Gololo said the Fulanis had no problem with Ichama people, denying that Fulanis
orchestrated the crisis. Gololo said unknown gunmen who invaded Ichama must
have carried out the attack.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO),
DSP Daniel Ezeala, who confirmed the invasion said only one person was killed
while 43 cows belonging to Diocese were stolen.
Culled from The Sun newspaper
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