Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Saturday, April 8, 2023, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to go beyond issuing condolence messages to fish out killers of Benue people.
This was the governor’s reaction to the reported massacre of displaced persons at Mgban communityy on Friday, April 7, as well as other attacks in the state.
Describing the attack as “unfortunate,” GovernorOrtom said that his government would not be provoked to take laws into its hands but would remain law abiding.
“I condemn this act. It is most unfortunate. We are law abiding people. We will not be provoked to take arms against anyone. We will allow the law to take it course.
“I saw the President’s condolence message but he should go beyond this and issue orders to smoke out these herders and terrorists. You can imagine the pain of these people. People doing this are known and must be fished out.
“Those inviting this Fulani to unleash terror should wait until I leave office, then you can repeal the law. We want peace. I refuse to be provoked. How can we make progress with this type of killing? Putting blame and castigating me is not right,” the governor said.
It will be recalled that no fever than 36 people were murdered in cold blood by suspected armed herdsmen at Mgban in Nyiev council ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on Good Friday.
The attackers were said to have stormed LGEA Primary School where some persons, who had fled their communities as a result of herdsmen attacks, were using as their refuge.
It was gathered that the attackers invaded the primary school at about 9pm on Friday and launched heavy attack on the people.
Some of those who tried to escape were reportedly hit by bullets, with
pregnant women and children the hardest hit.
The week had been sad for residents of the state due to incessant killings since Monday and which lasted till Friday.
On Monday, Igbobi community in Apa LGA had witnessed the murder of three people by the armed herdsmen.
A day after, the herders invaded Umogidi community in Otukpo LGA, killed three people and later returned to the community on Wednesday to dispatch 46 people to their early graves.
A local who simply identified himself as Jonah and spoke to a journalist on the Friday attack said that many people were felled by bullets as they were trying to escape.
“It was like a war situation. Gunshots rent the air, no one knew how they came to the school premises. Some hid under the lockers, many of us fled without knowing where we were heading to,” Jonah said.
The Security Officer of Guma LGA, Christopher Waku who spoke on behalf of the chairman to confirm the attack, described it as “genocide.”
Waku said: “There is a primary school at Mgban village that some people who fled their homes due to herdsmen’s attack always stay. The herdsmen came and attacked them last night (Friday). The dead people are 34 and those injured were 40 but few minutes ago, I received a call that two of the injured ones have died.
“Twenty four corpses were recovered from the school classrooms and 10 corpses were picked on the road.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Catherine Anene confirmed the attack and stated that 28 corpses had been recovered.
“Mgbam attack is confirmed. Twenty eight corpses recovered and deposited at the hospital morgue, while investigation is on going,” Anene said in a message.
