BY PETER DURU
MAKURDI – Three persons were reportedly killed in a fresh outbreak of bloody conflict between suspected Fulani herdsmen and native Tiv farmers at Yogbo village in Guma local government area of Benu state.
This latest fighting in Yogbo is coming a year after a similar crisis in the same community between the farmers and herdsmen left over 45 persons dead.
Vanguard gathered from an eyewitness Tuesday that crisis broke out in Yogbo three days ago when some herdsmen stormed the village at night shooting sporadically and burning down houses, huts and farmland in the community.
According to the witness, “this latest attack on Yogbo community was unprovoked and no one expected the attack since there was no form of incitement of any kind on both sides.
“They, the Fulanis, stormed Yogbo with sophisticated weapons, at about 10pm, when the people had gone to bed, shooting and burning down huts, houses and farmland.
“Most of us managed to flee to safety while the unlucky ones were slaughtered in cold blood, among those killed were two women and a man.
“At the moment most of the victims of the attack who fled their homes for fear of being killed, are currently moving with their families towards Makurdi town for safety.”
When contacted, the Chairman of Guma local government council, Mr. Frank Adi disclosed that among those killed in the latest fighting in Yogbo were two women and a man.
He said, “this latest bloodbath is rather unfortunate; just when we were yet to come of of the shock of the killing at Uvir community during a fishing festival at Ake Lake, we are yet confronted with another destruction and unfortunate killing of Tiv farmers in Yogbo”.
The chairman said he had already informed the authorities security agencies in the state on the latest killing for necessary action to stem the ugly development.
When contacted, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Suprintendent of Police, DSP, Daniel Ezeala said he had not been briefed on the issue adding that nobody had informed the Police of any killings in Yogbo.
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