By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Benue state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has sent condolences to families of victims of the Wandor community in Mbalom, Gwer-East Local Government Area who suffered an early evening armed Fulani herders attacks on Thursday in which, at least, twenty persons were said to have died.
Gov. Alia who was visibly sad, assured the community, Local government and the state at large of his government’s will not to sleep until the armed herders who perpetrated the heinous act are caught and brought before the law.
Armed herders Thursday, 7th March 2024, at about 7 pm invaded the Wandor, Mbakyor community in Mbalom of Gwer-East Local Government and killed scores of natives who had reclined to their compounds after a hectic day in their farms.
Ubuluku kindred of Mbalom is where, on April 24th, 2018, Fr. Joseph Gor, Fr. Felix Tyolaha VC, and seventeen parishioners were killed during morning Mass at St. Ignatius Quasi Parish Ayar-Mbalom.
A statement by Sir Tersoor Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, directed security operatives in the state to “go after and apprehend the criminal herders as soon as possible”.
The governor in the statement said, “We gave these criminals orders to leave the state immediately. We also gave an ultimatum to those practising Open grazing in the state to ensure they comply with the law or leave the state within 14 days”.
“That ultimatum has since elapsed. I can see what happened at Wandor is a calculated attempt to test the resolve of my government over the matter I have already given priority”.
He said criminals under whatsoever guise who found their way into the state should know that the time is up and there is no going back on strict enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law (2017).
The Masev Development Association (MDA), a Socio-cultural body for the Masev people had earlier in a press statement by the President, Prof. Vearumun Tarhule, condemned the attack on the Wandor community.
Prof. Tarhule, lamenting the systematic targeting of ethnic nationalities and the decimation of Nigerians, especially the Tiv people, over the past two decades, called upon the federal, state, and local government authorities to fulfil their statutory and constitutional responsibilities by safeguarding lives and properties at all times and in all places.
Expressing bewilderment at the continuous vulnerability of innocent citizens to attacks by bandits, Prof. Tarhule highlighted the repeated calls to the government authorities for the protection of people’s lives and properties, which have sadly gone unheeded.
