12 killed as herdsmen sack another Benue village

The people of Tarfi village, Binnev Ward, in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State were at the receiving end of herdsmen attacks on Friday as no less than 12 persons were killed and several houses burnt down in yet another orgy of destruction.

Sources said that the rampaging Fulani herdsmen stormed the village in large numbers from neighbouring Tarka Local Government at about 11pm, shooting indiscriminately and setting houses and huts in the community on fire.

“There is no doubt that it is this same group of herdsmen that have been terrorizing Tarka and Buruku Local Government Areas in recent times that are responsible for this attack.

“This time they stormed Tarfi village, Binnev Ward, in Buruku late last night at about 11pm, in a commando fashion shooting and killing anything that stood in their way.

“It was a well coordinated attack. They marched through the village burning down houses and huts, farmland, food barn and any property that belonged to the indigenous people.

“At the moment, the calls we received from home indicated that about 12 persons were killed while many sustained serious injuries and many others still missing and unaccounted for.

“As I’m speaking with you, the locals, including women, children and the elderly, have all fled their homes, trekking long distances to seek a safe place to hide, while the intruders have gone into hiding though their cows are still grazing in the village," said a source.

However, the spokesman of the Benue State Police Command, ASP Yamu while confirming the attack said that only five deaths were recorded.

"I can confirm the attack on Tarfi village, Binnev Ward, in Buruku Local Government Area of the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen; so far we have record five deaths. Two persons were killed in the village but three others who sustained injuries in the attack died on their way to the hospital,” he said.