Benue monarch laments killing of two children, 37 others in fresh herdsmen attacks on Good Friday

The traditional ruler of Nyiev community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Chief Bernard Shawa, has narrated how suspected herdsmen killed two of his children and 37 others during an attack on the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp in the community on Good Friday.

The monarch also disclosed that 38 other victims of the attack sustained severe injuries but were evacuated to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.

Chief Shawa made the disclosure when he received Governor Samuel Ortom and his Deputy, Benson Abounu who visited the community for an on-the-spot assessment of the incident.

NewsClick Nigeria had earlier reported that suspected armed herders killed at least 43 internally displaced people, IDPs, during a late-night attack on LGEA Primary School Mgban.

Narrating how armed herdsmen stormed the community between 9 and 10 pm on Friday, the monarch said, “I was sitting outside with my children when we started hearing gunshots from across the road.

“We started running but two of my children, a boy and a girl did not make it they were gunned down by the Fulani people.

“And because we have a point checkpoint on the road, displaced persons normally take shelter at the LGEA Primary School, they opened fire on the IDPs and people in the community, shooting and killing our people as they spoke the language.

“And before today they also attacked our community on February 25, 2023. On that day they killed 12 people.”

The royal father commended Governor Ortom for leading a delegation to the community to sympathise with the people over the incident.