The people of Anen, in Mbaagulei, in Liev ll Council Ward of Ikyurav-Ya in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State have cried out that
suspected Fulani terrorists have overrun five of their council wards in Turan district of the local government.
The council wards forcefully taken over include: Moon, Mbadura, Mbaikyor, Kumakwagh and Yaav where hordes of the inhabitants have deserted and are taken refuge in different places deemed safe.
Residents of the affected communities told New Telegraph in an exclusive telephone interview that aside the take over of their land, the insurgents have also burnt down several Churches as well as houses, schools while 78 percent of the landmass has equally been usurped by the invaders.
A community leader in the area, Mr. Lawrence Akerigba, confirmed the incidents to New Telegraph in Makurdi.
Mr. Akerigba who further confirmed the killing of a farmer, Elder Yongo Chia in cold blood by the arsonists and his corpse recovered and deposited in the mortuary at Ikyogen, lamented absence of security personnel while the attacks occur on a daily basis.
He described the attack as unprovoked and barbaric, noting that “it did not come as a surprise, since the beginning of the year, no day passes without the terrorist attacking us”.
“They have taken over 78 percent of the five council ward in Turan, and overrun five council wards of Moon, Mbadura, Mbaikyor, Kumakwagh and Yaav.
“It is yet another reminder that, the blood of our people continue to flow unchecked on their ancestral land. We are tired of receiving condolence massages, our people do not even receive relief materials from the state government”.
He appealed to the Governor Hyacinth Alia-led government to as a matter of urgency, facilitate the deployment of security agents to the troubled communities to help protect life’s and property of the citizens.
“We are at the Cameroonian boarder, we have a police station in Jato aka with less than 12 police officers, there are no roads, our houses are destroyed, schools and Churches all destroyed.
“Our primary source of livelihood which is farming has been blocked, no medical care, where do we go from here”, said Akerigba.
