Facts on why armed herdsmen invaded and killed people in Benue State are emerging by the day.
According to reports, armed herders had transformed communities in the state into “killing fields,” carrying out vicious attacks last week on the Igbobi, Umogidi, and Mgban towns in the Apa, Otukpo, and Guma local government areas, respectively. As a result, 130 people were killed.
In order to allow for an investigation into reported cases of cattle rustling in some sections of the state, the State Government ordered the two-week suspension of the actions of livestock guards.
On the other hand, the Benue Police Command paraded nine suspected cow rustlers on Wednesday who colluded with illegal herders to rustle cows and split the profits.
The State Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, who paraded them said that the suspects “specialised in rustling of cattle that fueled killings in the state.”
Anene said, “In recent times, the investigation into herder/farmer conflict in most Local Governments reveals that some hoodlums from both herder and farms clans have been fueling crises in these areas for their own gain. There is a need to identify these criminal elements and deal with them in accordance with the laws.
“On 10/4/2020 at about 1700hrs. Men of Operation Zenda JTF on patrol in Guma Local Government Area intercepted and arrested one Terwase Nyion aka Orjen and three others while others fled from the scene.”
She added, “On 16/4/2023 at about 1700hrs, information was received that some hoodlums had attacked herders grazing in Tarkaa Local Government Area and made away with some cattle.
“Police detectives in the area immediately stormed their hideout and arrested the following persons: Terdoo Tyo, Meryima Dziegh, Jimeshio Dziegh, Tahar Dziegh and Mercy Iyio who was already preparing cow meat in the kitchen.”
According to the PPRO, research found that the syndicate frequently worked with criminal herders to rustle cattles, sell them, and split the profit.
“They go back to the same victims (herders) to deceive them that their cattle were rustled by farmers so as to create crises and have more opportunity to loot from innocent persons.
Four cows and a locally made revolver loaded with one round of live 9mm ammo were among the goods she mentioned as having been retrieved from them, and she added that “suspects confessed to be a vicious syndicate made up of herders & farmers.”
