..Council Chairman imposes movement restrictions

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

At least seven persons have been reportedly killed in fresh attacks on communities in Buruku and Gwer West Local Government Areas, LGAs of Benue State, by suspected armed herdsmen.

The attacks also left several persons injured and some unaccounted for. And in a bid to contain the situation, the Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Ormin, ordered movement restrictions in the LGA.

Sources in Buruku LGA disclosed that the marauders in the early hours of Monday invaded Mbakundu Community in Mbaya Council Ward, the home town of Senator Orker Jev, shooting indiscriminately and killing everything in sight.

He stated that the attack claimed the lives of several persons, including that of a toddler whose parents left him behind while fleeing the community.

He said, “The herdsmen invaded Mbakundu Monday morning, just a few minutes after midnight when the people had gone to bed.

They were shooting and chasing the people from their houses.

“Several persons were killed, and many were injured and unaccounted for. Among those killed was a small child whose parents left behind while escaping.

“And the search for more bodies is ongoing in the bushes because many persons cannot be accounted for, and as we speak, the situation is tense in the entire Buruku.”

Contacted the Chairman of Buruku LGA , Raymond Zege, who confirmed the development, said five corpses had been recovered from the community, including that of the little child.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Ormin, has imposed restrictions on movement in the LGA following the gruesome murder of two persons in Naka town by suspected herders.

The victims were reportedly murdered when marauders waylaid them in the town.

Worried by the development, the Chairman in a statement by his Special Assistant for Media and Publicity, Timothy Ajieje, banned every movement in and out of the LGA from 6:30pm.

Part of the statement read, “The Executive Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Ormin, has directed that movement of people into and out of the geographical territory of Gwer West LGA should not exceed 6:30pm. This directive takes immediate effect, also.

“With this executive directive, people coming into Gwer West LGA and those going out to other places are to do so within the stipulated time of 6:30pm.

“This restriction will be reviewed as the security situation improves.”

Contacted, the Director General of Benue Homeland Security, Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan (retd.), said he was yet to receive details of the incidents.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent CSP Catherine Anene, could not be reached for comment.