Fulani herdsmen attack Governor Suswam convoy in Benue

By Ehi Ekhator

The Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam was attacked on Monday, by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

Governor Suswam

The herdsmen have been attacking Tiv indigenes, farmers, killing and maiming villagers with sophisticated weapons.

Governor Suswam was attacked at Tse Akenyi, on his way to the displaced persons’ camp in Guma Local Government in Makurdi.

It was gathered that the herdsmen fired at the governor’s vehicle at Tse Akenyi junction the moment they sighted his vehicle. They were harmed with heavy admonitions which they brought out of the nearby bush, according to an eyewitness

It was gathered that after the attack, the governor still visited Gbajimba, the administrative headquarters of Guma Local Government where he addressed the displaced persons.

The governor while addressing the crowd, urged them to take their destiny in their hands. He said “I salute each and every one of you for your courage and steadfastness throughout this period. This is beyond the herdsmen; this is real war.

“On my way to this place, they exchanged gun shots with us for over one hour before we were able to come here.

“My people are being killed, butchered and their homes destroyed. So, if the security agents, especially the military, cannot provide security for us, we will defend ourselves.

“I cannot abandon you people at this point in time to die. You voted me to provide security for you and I must do that for you.

“These Fulani are not like the real Fulani we used to know.

“Please return to your homes and defend your land, do not allow anybody to make you slaves in your home land,’’ he said.

The Chairman of the local government, Frank Adi condemned the continuous killings of his people and destruction of their homes by the herdsmen.

Mr. Godwin Viashima, who represented Adi in the gathering pleaded with the government to provide security operatives to protect the citizens.

Responding to the appeal, Suswam promised the people that the government would do everything within its power to bring back peace to the community and homes destroyed. he added that government would not allow invaders to take over their ancestral homes.

Houses were seen razed and decomposed bodies littered the farming community at Ukpam village. The governor ordered them to remove six bodies to Makurdi for burial.

The governor visited other affected communities. The worst hit villages are Ukpam, Waku, Torkula, and Kaseyo

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Fulani herdsmen attack Governor Suswam convoy in Benue