Gunmen Wearing Military Attire Blamed for Benue Attacks, Says MACBAN

The Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Benue State Chapter, Alhaji Mohammed Risku, on Thursday, said that unknown gunmen camouflaged in military and paramilitary uniforms have been responsible for killings in some parts of the state.

Risku who spoke to journalists in Makurdi stated that both Fulani herders and indigenes have fallen victims of the unknown gunmen.

Reports of invasion of Benue communities and killings had been on the rise in the past few weeks across the state.

Two weeks ago, 17 people were killed by armed men at Mbaikyaor in Gwer East Local Government Area of the state and were given mass burial.

A week later, 26 people were reportedly killed in separate attacks in the same LGA

The MACBAN leader stated that no fewer than 31 Fulanis among them, women and children have been victims of unabated attacks on Benue communities.

He said, “Between January and April this year about 31 Fulani people including women and children have lost their lives.

“Whenever these unknown people entered the communities, they began to attack our people, kill them, kill our cows, and even kill local farmers too.

“We have been reporting these strange occurrences to the joint military operations covering Benue and Nasarawa states but, no action taken.

“The other day, 11 Fulani children were killed around Doma/Gwer West border areas. Again, six Fulani herders were killed in Gwer West.

“They were on bikes when they were attacked and killed by unknown people. Even at Guma LGA, one herder was attacked and killed, his bike was taken away. All these killings happened this year 2024.

The MACBAN chairman called for a special joint security committee by the state government to comprise local farmers, local Fulani herders, and other stakeholders to coordinate the internal security at the various communities faced with incessant attacks and killings in the state to end the attacks.

Corroborating the chairman’s position, the secretary of MACBAN, Alhaji Ibrahim Galma, maintained that the leadership of the Fulani herders in the state had been advocating for such a committee but stated that the government was yet to approve.

He noted that most of the challenges being experienced in the state presently were a result of non-integrations of the Fulani group.

Meanwhile, the state government has debunked the claim by the organization.

The Security Adviser to the governor on Internal Security, Joseph Har said he had never seen any Fulani herders killed in the state.

Har said, “I have not seen any Fulani herders killed but only our people.”

When contacted, the Command Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Catherine Anene, said the command was not aware of a report of unknown gunmen camouflaged in military and paramilitary uniforms.

She advised that both farmers and herders should make a formal report to the command for action.

“The command doesn’t have the report, but if they make such claims, it’s better both herders and farmers come together