Residents of Benue state have been left in a state of palpable fear after herdsmen invaded the state with 4,000 cows.
Herdsmen (File photo)
Fear has gripped communities in Benue State following a massive influx of over 4000 cows and Fulani herdsmen in four local government areas of the state.
According to New Telegraph, this latest incident is coming after suspected Fulani pastoralists last Sunday reportedly gang-rapped a mother of five children to coma in Ejule Owukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government area of the state.
The local government areas invaded by the Fulani herdsmen include Guma, Kwande, Agatu, Ado and Logo.
Residents in those areas told New Telegraph in confidence that the presence herds of cattle is frightening, stressing that some people have already started fleeing their homes.
“With the movement of large herds of cattle in our community, we are afraid because it portends danger. We recall the incident of the past years especially how hundreds of people were murdered and many others taken refuge in camps and are yet to return home uptil now,” a villager said.
The Community Leader in Logo Local Government, Chief Joseph Anawa said the herdemen who came in thousands with large number of cattle, took over parts of the local government a development he said has thrown most people in trepidation.
Commenting on the development, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom Mr. Terver Akase alleged that the sudden influx of armed herdsmen in parts of the state is “politically motivated”.