Herdsmen kill 144 in Plateau, Benue in 14 days

No fewer than 144 persons have been killed by herdsmen in the two north central states of Plateau and Benue states in the last two weeks, as the blood-letting continued late Tuesday, with the killing of at least 13 persons, while scores of others sustained injuries, with over 50 houses razed.

Recall that within the period, 104 persons, comprising 52 in Bassa local government area and another 52 in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State, were killed by the marauding herdsmen, while at least 40 were also killed in Benue State.

In Benue, three persons were killed on April 3 when a Benue Links bus was ambushed at Ikobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area, LGA, while on April 10, two farmers were murdered by the marauders in Gwer West LGA.

Same day, three persons were killed at Mbasombo community also in Gwer East LGA, while the latest attack on Otobi Akpa in Otukpo LGA and the boundary with Nasarawa State claimed the lives of at least 13 persons, with several others declared missing.

Aside from the killings in the north central states, Boko Haram insurgents also on Tuesday, attacked Adamawa communities in Hong local government area, killing seven persons, while scores of others are still missing.

The latest killings in Benue on Tuesday evening, came as Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State yesterday announced prohibition of night grazing, transportation of cattle by vehicles after 7:00 pm, and restriction of the use of motorcycles from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am across the state until further notice, as part of measures to ward off the marauding herdsmen.