Ruth Semilore
READ ALSO:Fire guts popular market in Ibadan (WATCH VIDEO)
Three states – Benue, Nasarawa and Ondo – were locked in rage and protests, yesterday, over the killing of no fewer than 28 persons by herdsmen and bandits.
A pregnant woman was among 20 persons killed during a farmers/herders’ clash that left scores wounded, houses, motorcycles, and a police operational vehicle set ablaze in Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State.
At press time, the Nasarawa Police said they had recovered six bodies, while a witness said no fewer than 20 people died and many remained missing.
READ ALSO:El-Rufai dumps APC, joins SDP (READ DETAILS)
Market women and youths took to the streets over the kidnap of nine surveyors as Ondo State Government, the Police and regent differed over the sacking of four communities and killing of 20 in Akure North LGA by bandits.
Indeed, there was pandemonium in Gwer West LGA of Benue State as irate youths, yesterday morning, burnt down the council secretariat in Naka and the Palace of the Chairman of Gwer West traditional council, HRH Daniel Abomtse, over alleged murder of three members of the Civil Protection Guards by suspected armed herdsmen on Monday.
The trio were on duty at On-MbaAondo, Tsambe-Mbesev Ward of the LGA when they were killed.
The mob also allegedly razed other properties in the town, including a hotel belonging to the lawmaker representing Benue North West in the Senate, Senator Titus Zam.
It was gathered that the angry youths took to the streets as early as 7am when the bodies of the three murdered local security personnel were brought to Naka for burial.
READ ALSO:Reps direct NCC to block all pornographic sites in Nigeria
According to a source,
“The youths were not only angered by the murder of the three local security personnel but the fact that government is not doing enough to check the unending incursions and killings in Gwer West LGA by armed herdsmen.
“What you see happening today (yesterday) is a revolt and demonstration of bottled up anger over the activities of armed herdsmen in Gwer West communities and the failure of the authorities to check the menace.”,
Responding to the incident, Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Omirin, said the protest, started by youths in Naka, was later hijacked by hoodlums, “and they burnt down the local government secretariat and the Ter Nagi’s palace.”
He explained that the crisis was triggered by “the murder of three members of Civil Protection Guards, who were killed in Gyaluwa community by armed herdsmen, so when their bodies were brought to Naka, it sparked protest from the youths which was taken over by hoodlums.”
Contacted, Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, Chief Joseph Har, said the attacked community is the home of the security adviser to the governor (External) Col. Alex Ashungyu, retd.
READ ALSO:27-year-old man climbs telecom mast in Gombe, threatens to commit suicide over debts
“He (local government chairman) called and told me that the secretariat was burnt. I was also told that after burning the secretariat, they proceeded towards Abomtse’s palace and Zam’s hotel but I have not heard the latest.”
My palace, valuables burnt — HRH Abomtse
Chief Har, who could not confirm that the murdered trio were members of the Civil Protection Guards, said: “If they were farmers, hunters or local fighters, I do not know.”
Efforts to reach Ashungyu were unsuccessful but the Chairman of Gwer West Traditional Council and Ter Tyoshin, HRH Daniel Abomtse, who said he travelled for medical check-up, confirmed the razing of his palace and other valuables in his residence.
“I travelled for a medical check-up only to hear that the boys, this morning (yesterday), razed the local government secretariat and my palace and other valuables, including three vehicles and motorcycles, that were within the premises of the palace were all burnt. But I am driving back to Naka as we speak.”
Police CP visits council with tactical team
Confirming the development in a brief statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Catherine Anene said: “Information has been received about an on-going protest in Naka and the commissioner of police moved this morning to the area with other tactical teams. Further developments will be communicated to you please.”
Marauders won’t escape justice — Alia
Condemning the herder’s attack and murder of the serving guards, Governor Alia, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, stated that the inhuman act of marauding armed herdsmen “is once more, a flagrant affront to the peace and security of our communities.”
READ ALSO:One student dead as Diphtheria spreads in King’s College Lagos
He continued:
“We appreciate the deep rage and frustration that led to anxiety at Naka, headquarters of Gwer-West, including the regrettable burning of the local government secretariat and the palace of Ter Tyoshin by protesters.
“While we empathise with the sentiments of our people, we advocate restraint and foresight in funneling this anger. Destruction of our own worth simply serves to frustrate the intentions of our government, which is devoted to building up peace and security in the state.
“We request all security organs to intensify their efforts in detecting and capturing the perpetrators of this heinous atrocity. The security of our residents is paramount, and we will not rest until those culpable for this violence are held liable.”
How pregnant woman, 19 others died in Nasarawa farmers/herders’ crisis
Confirming the death of six persons, including a pregnant woman in Nasarawa LGA clash between farmers and herders, the Police command in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, SP Nansel Ranham, yesterday in Lafia, the state capital, said it had recovered six bodies so far, following deployment of men and officers of the command to the area.
“The six corpses recovered have been identified as Simeon Madaki, Ayawu Senior, Sunday Wa’azu, Vincent Sunday, Taimako Senior, and Filibus Jatau Mai’anguwa. Some houses, shops, motorcycles, and a car were also vandalised during the attack.
“During the operation, three injured victims—Samaniya Wa’azu, Vincent Ezekiel, and Johnson Maikasuwa—were rescued and taken to a medical centre for treatment.
“To ensure law and order, the area has been reinforced with personnel from the Mobile Police of 69 PMF Toto, alongside other police operatives and the military who are currently patrolling the vicinity.
“However, in the course of the intervention, the mob vandalised a police patrol vehicle and later set fire on a nearby Ruga settlement where the suspect, Sani, resided. This led to the unfortunate death of one Azumi Allah Gaba and her unborn child,’’ the statement read. The Police said they had arrested two suspects in relation to the communal crisis in Farin Dutse and restored normalcy to the area.
