Parts of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area (LGA) in Benue State are once again feeling unsafe. This is because of rumors that a local militia led by a man named Oraernyi, who is known as “Heavy,” and armed Fulani herdsmen are responsible for a string of recent attacks and destruction of farmland in the Mbajir community.
A villager who didn’t want to be named said today that things got worse on Sunday when armed individuals set fire to and vandalized vast areas of farms in Tse Akoso, forcing families to leave their houses.
He says that the problem is getting worse because of threats from a community leader in the area (name withheld) who allegedly said that anyone who talked about the actions of armed Fulani herdsmen in the Council Ward would face severe consequences, even death.
He said, “The threats are meant to keep victims quiet and hide the part that local collaborators play in the growing violence.”
He said that “local armed groups commanded by ‘Heavy’ allegedly coordinated with armed Fulani herdsmen during raids on communities such Tse Akoso and Danzulu, which made it seem like the herders were the only ones doing the attacks.
The militia is hiding and moving about two armed herders named Bado and Musa, who are reported to have taken part in attacks in the area. People think that the two moved to a new refuge between Tse Dunchi and Abony, at the Ukum LGA border. This area was empty because of violence that happened there before.
“This action could keep our countrymen from ever going home again. They have also destroyed our cassava and yam crops in Mbajir.
“We are asking traditional leaders, Local Government Chairmen, Ukum and Katsina-Ala, and the Benue State Government to take strong action before things get worse and more people die.”
“We also want the armed Fulani herdsmen to leave our communities right away so that they don’t attack our people again.”
We couldn’t get in touch with the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent, DSP, Udeme Edet.
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