Three residents of Tse Orjime community in the Agan area of Mbalagh Council Ward, Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, were reportedly killed on Thursday by suspected armed herdsmen.
The attack occurred just days after Tiv traditional rulers issued an eviction notice to herders operating in the region. In a retaliatory outburst, irate youths from the community transported the corpses of the victims to the residence of Hon. Alfred Berger, the member representing Makurdi North in the Benue State House of Assembly.
Confirming the incident, Hon. Berger said the assailants ambushed the victims while they were working on their farms. “Armed herdsmen attacked my constituents and killed three persons on their farms. The bodies were later brought to my residence by angry youths, who nearly set the house ablaze while my children were present,” he stated.
The Benue State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent Catherine Anene, also confirmed the incident. She said the Command received a distress report at approximately 6 p.m. on Thursday and immediately deployed operatives to the affected area.
“Our officers swiftly responded and began pursuing the attackers into the surrounding bush. Meanwhile, a group of aggrieved youths attempted to torch the lawmaker’s residence, believing he had failed in his duties to protect the community. However, police intervention averted the arson attempt,” Anene explained.
She added that three lifeless bodies, believed to be victims of gunshot wounds inflicted by the attackers, were recovered and transported to the General Hospital in North Bank, Makurdi. Investigations into the attack are currently ongoing.
