Many flee Benue villages over armed herders invasion

Scores of residents have fled their villages over the alleged influx of armed herders in four wards of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

 The residents of the four wards – Yonov, Tombo, Turan and Nenzev – appealed to the government to secure their environs so that they could return home.

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A community leader in the area, Joseph Anawah, who raised the alarm on Tuesday, said several villages in the four council wards had been taken over by the armed herders with thousands of their cattle.

Anawah said the invasion by the armed herders had also become a serious threat to the neighbouring communities in Buruku and Guma local government areas.

He added that the invaders crossed River Benue to settle at Tse Azaye, Tse Agah, Tse Getim and Tse Iosun all in Tombo council ward.  

When contacted, the secretary of Miyeitti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the state, Ibrahim Galma, said he travelled out of the state but would get in touch with their members in the affected area before commenting on the matter.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene, on her part promised to call back but was yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.