FARMERS, HERDSMEN CLASH CLAIMS SIX IN BENUE

FARMERS, HERDSMEN CLASH CLAIMS SIX IN BENUE By George Okoh =========∞=====================∞======== A bloody clash between Fulani herdsmen and f

armers in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State has led to the death of six persons. An eyewitness said that the skirmish erupted in the community on Sunday after the locals mobilised themselves and besieged a Fulani settlement in the area to stop a large herd of cattle and herdsmen from gaining access into the village. “The herdsmen and the cattle were moving into the village in large numbers to seek better pasture, but feeling threatened by the presence of the herdsmen, the villagers put up a blockade and asked their visitors to return to where they were coming from. “There was resistance and a crisis ensued that snowballed into a clash that left three villagers killed and several person injured with some others unaccounted for.” “It was when the villagers discovered that two of their youths were killed and another that was earlier declared missing was also found to have been killed by the intruders, that they launched a reprisal on the Herdsmen, killing and beheading three of them. “As we speak, the Herdsmen are deserting the community while the farmers are also fleeing their villages, though security has been beefed up in the area.” When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Assistant Superintendent Moses Yamu, said he was yet to be briefed on the matter. Since the outbreak of the crises,many of the residents have deserted the area. http://www.thisdaylive.com/