10,000 persons displaced, 20 villages sacked in Benue crisis – Commissioner

No fewer than 10,000 people were said to have been displaced as a result of the attack on the people of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State by Fulani herdsmen, on Sunday.

The state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr John Ngbede, an indigene of the council, while briefing newsmen in his office in Makurdi, on Tuesday, said that over 20 villages were sacked during the invasion.

He alleged that the marauders were camped at Loko, in Nasarawa State and crossed the river to the council area for the attack, adding that those mostly affected were children and women.

It will be recalled that Fulani herdsmen had invaded the council two times within a week, leading to the death of over 50 people.

This is just as the state secretary of Myetialla Cattle Rearers Association, Garus Gololo, alleged that the invasion was as a result of move to recover their lost cows from the people of the area.

Ngbede, however, described the allegation as “unfounding and annoying,” saying “our people are not thieves. They are hardworking farmers who cannot steal any cow, the statement is unfounding and annoying.”

Meanwhile, following the serial attacks on the council, academic session has been halted, as schools within the area had been closed down.

The commissioner commended the response of the state , while also appealing to the police authorities to dispatch more mobile policemen to the troubled spots.

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