Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan (rtd), the Special Adviser to the Governor on Homeland Security says that a church leader and three others were killed by herders in a recent attack in Benue State
Addressing the media on Thursday, Gbamwuan said that Vitalis Kenvanger, leader of St. Albert Catholic Church in Abata, Yogbo, and businessman Dogo Udam were the three men killed in the crossfire.
According to him, they were ambushed on the Udei to Yogbo road, and while their bodies were recovered, two others traveling with them—Mr. Iorember Famja and Mama Shiaondo, wife of Ioryem Ike—were initially missing.
He hinted that Mama Shiaondo has since been released, but Mr. Famja’s status remains unclear, prompting fears for his safety as his abductors have not made any ransom demands.
A relative of the slain church leader, Boniface Igboji, stated: “I spoke with my brother yesterday when we were in Daudu but didn’t know he would depart this earth today through these murderous Fulani jihadists.”
He informed that the killers of his relative answered his phone calls and told the family that their brother was dead.
Another farmer, Mr Iorpev Terngu, was also macheted to death on his farm at Tse Atsem, Borikyo village in Ukum Local Council. In another earlier attack at Ukohol village located about four kilometres to Yelwata, along the Makurdi-Lafia road, suspected herdsmen broke into the home of a resident, William Tyough, tied his hands behind his back, slaughtered him, and burnt his motorcycle.
Local residents are also concerned about mercenaries camping near the Kadarko railway station and sightings in Tiv settlements like Tse Antsa and Umalai, which have been deserted due to escalating violence.
