By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Suspected Fulani herdsmen on Saturday afternoon attacked Tse-Kuhe in Mbamar, Mbasombo, Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue state, killing at least five persons, with one otherin critical conditions at the Federal Medical Center, Apir.
Separate statements by Prof. Jonathan Uever on his Whatsapp handle, and and Barrister Akor Abiem in telephone interview said the herders were incensed by the villagers refusal to allow them have their cattles drink water from the community’s natural well.
“The herders insisted on making their herds drink from the only source of drinking water available to the community. When the farmers refused them access to their only source of drinking water, the herders got annoyed and one them with an AK 47 riffle shot at one of the villagers who died instantly, while another sustained gun shot injuries”.
The statement said the Security Adviser to the governor was immediately alerted of the dire situation in Mbamar, but said available security personnel had gone on another assignment distant from Gwer-East.
The dead and wounded from Mbasombo include, Uchir Tsavbee, Shiminenge Fankerga, Mmarave Faga, and Jacob Ayom who is receiving medical care at Federal Medical Center Apir. The other two dead were siblings, from Tse-Shima Mbalom, Mfanyi Orter and Mfanyi Oruhe, who were on their way on a bike to Ikpayongo and encountered the fleeing headers. They were also killed, their bike was tossed in a nearby stream. Their recovered corpse deposited at the Saint Gregory’s hospital morgue, Ikpayongo.
Suspicion the area is that the Fulani herdsmen carrying out what looks like wanton killings in the Mbalom Council ward and now Mbasombo all in Gwer-East Local Government has affinity to the Fulani settlement around Ucha, Gwer-West Local Government which borders with Mbagba in Gwer-East.
