Police arrest eight herdsmen over Benue attacks

The police in Benue State have arrested eight herdsmen over the killing on Monday of 20 residents of Guma and Logo Local Government councils. Police spokesman Moses Yamu said in a statement that “eight herdsmen, six in Guma and two in Logo, have been arrested in connection with the attacks.” He said the command had made additional deployments in the area to forestall further occurrence and restore confidence.

He said: “They attacked Tomater village in Sengev Council ward, Akor village in Nzorov council ward and Bakin Kwata village in Umanger council ward of Guma LGA. “Among those killed were seven (7) members of Benue State Livestock Guards, their vehicle burnt and an uncertain number of persons injured in separate attacks between 31/12/2017 and 02/01/2018. “Again, Agba-Uko near Azege village and Tse-Aga village of Logo LGA experienced the same fate, where one person was killed, one motorcycle burnt and four persons injured. “All the injured from both LGAs are currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the state.” According to him, five combined teams of mobile and conventional policemen, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations, ACP Emmanuel Adesina have engaged the armed herdsmen in a gun duel in Guma,The Nation reports.

The Benue Anti-Open Grazing Law came into effect on November 1, 2017 to forestall attacks on Benue communities by suspected herders. The law stipulates five year jail term or an option of N1 million fine for violators. The attack is the first by suspected herdsmen since the law came into effect.