Fulani herdsmen have been accused of attacking Shikaan Mbagena Kpav, a TIV community in Benue State, killing at least 36 residents including students of College of Education in Katsina Ala.
According to SaharaReporters, the attackers stormed the community in the early hours of Thursday, and carried out the gruesome murder.
There are conflicting figures of casualties as some believed the attackers might have killed up to 100 residents.
Although, details of the incident were still sketchy as at the time of filing this report, gory photos of many dead people on the floor have been circulated on social media.
Many Nigerians in reaction have taken to social media to condemned the situation, calling on the state and federal government to intervene.
Nigerians using the hashtag, #BenueUnderAttack are now lamenting the multiple deaths and alleged silence of security agencies and the government.
The attack comes four days after Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue said he will no longer announce the deaths of those killed by herdsmen in the state.
Ortom, who made the remark at the Chapel of Grace in Government House, Makurdi on Sunday, to round up a prayer and fasting programme said the people of Benue should rise up and defend themselves with weapons not prohibited by law.
The governor speaking further at the interdenominational church service urged residents to get a licence for dane guns from local government chairmen and use them to defend themselves.
It would be recalled that in 2020, Governor Ortom appealed to the Federal Government to allow ‘responsible citizens’ to wield sophisticated weapons such as AK-47 rifles to protect themselves from attacks.
Read Also: Insecurity: ‘Allow Responsible Citizens Carry AK-47 Guns’ – Benue Gov Ortom Tells FG
He urged the Federal Government to grant licences to responsible citizens to carry sophisticated weapons such as AK47 to deter criminals from attacking innocent and helpless Nigerians.
According to Ortom, the policy should be backed by a strict legal framework to prevent illegal possession of arms by the citizenry without exception.
He also recommended adequate funding of security agencies and continuous training of their personnel to enable them be abreast of global dynamics in the fight against insecurity.
See some reactions to the recent development below;
When Israel and Palestine were at war for about 8 days d world was alarmed and everybody was shouting but In Nig serious genocide is on going against Christians in total blackout of d press, in Benue today this is what fulani herdsmen killed over 100 people, d world is quiet pic.twitter.com/HDLnGYUHZP
— JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY EVERY OTHER WAY IS FAKE (@Theparterns) May 27, 2021
look at innocent Benue people massacred by Fulani.This massacring keeps happening overtime and president buhari is mute about it.The day Benue rise up against fulani,fulani soldiers would begin bombardment on benue people. Maiduguri president buhari teams sokoto aunty Kate biafra pic.twitter.com/Jr5I3kMmy4
— Aku N’Esi Obi Ike ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) (@Uzomaka_Kelechi) May 27, 2021
The Fulani herdsmen killing the people of Benue enjoy maximum protection because how is it possible to kill 100 people last weekend and then kill another 36+ today. No investigation, no arrest. Just a rinse and repeat method of killings.
IT IS ENOUGH ALREADY
— 👑 (@DoctorEmto) May 27, 2021
The pictures are so gory. It is sad that these vulnerable were killed in their homeland by invaders. But to see how they were butchered like cattle evokes a deeper emotion. No one should die like this. #BenueUnderAttack
— Jamal (@JajaPhD) May 28, 2021
Has the government given immunity to Fulani herdsmen in this country ? They are killing the indigenous occupants of Benue state and nothing is still being done.
This is pure Genocide 🤦♂️#BenueUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/rzTO79JvtL
— timi 🦅 (@timiPR) May 28, 2021
– Unending killings in Nigeria are sponsored
– Those benefiting from killings don’t want it to stop
– God will punish Fulani killers & their sponsors😡
– Which way Africa? No Justice in our land
– Na MUMU go think sey e safe for Nigeria😭
– Genocide in Benue #BenueUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/z3TMOgq02J— Communicator ♚ (@DE_COMMUNICATOR) May 28, 2021
It is impossible that all of the reports coming out of Benue and other middle-belt states are false. And it doesn’t matter who the perpetrators are. Whether foreigners, unknown gunmen, or indigenous arm-wielding gangs, this tidal wave of killings must be stopped #BenueUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/rBlzZ8kVxd
— KATOR TARKAA (@KatorTarkaa) May 28, 2021
About 36 persons were killed just yesterday in Benue state, There’s serious genocide going on in Benue state.
How long will the people suffer this? Insecurity in the state is at it apex.
RETWEET AND PASS IT ON, LET THE WORLD KNOW.#BenueUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/CfMEI3CFme
— BENUEGIANT⚙️ #BenueUnderAttack (@one_dosh) May 28, 2021
As the killings keep rising and nothing substantial is being done, we all in Benue State and the entire Middle Belt may end up losing our lives, our identity and our land if we fail to rise up now! This is a genocide and must be referred to as such!! #BenueUnderAttack
— KATOR TARKAA (@KatorTarkaa) May 28, 2021
Except Benue gets their own Sunday Igboho, these almost daily attacks that have characterised #BenueUnderAttack will continue to happen. If Benue people clash with cows, General @MBuhari will ALWAYS side with cows. Benue needs an Igboho that will side with them#TableShaker
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) May 28, 2021
2023 anybody wey vote for this party, e shall never be well with you, this is the worst government ever
Wandecoal Aproko #BenueUnderAttack Ghost Southern Kaduna Biafra pic.twitter.com/uf4Va5DzRN
— C.O.B (@iamchrisobriss) May 28, 2021
Fulani herdsmen killed more than 36 recovered death Bodies at shikaan mbagena kpav katsina Ala Benue State . #BenueUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/z2JMHCYbVO
— Mayowa olagunju ❁ (@iam_doctormayor) May 28, 2021
How do you feel when you see corpse of those you have sworn to protect littering all the place.
We just want to be able to farm on our lands and feed the nation.
Where is our humanity?
#BenueUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/FzFpXHngoC— Cheren Terfa Jeremiah (@CherenTerfa) May 28, 2021
Scores killed in cold blood in Katsina-Ala, Benue State yesterday but you’ll never hear it on the news. #BenueUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/T1LYu6yHNR
— TERHEMBA TSEPAV #BenueUnderAttack (@ChiefTerhemba) May 28, 2021
More than 36 persons were killed just yesterday in Benue state, by Fulani herds men, There’s serious genocide going on in Benue state.#BenueUnderAttack Chioma #UCLFinal Man City Chelsea Genocide Davido Ghost Nigeria Rwanda Germany France Uk Indian pic.twitter.com/LJn7cC8H3s
— Kelvinlegend (@IamKelvinlegend) May 28, 2021
Yesterday, the people of Katsina-ala in Benue State were under attack! Over 36 persons were gruesomely murdered! #BenueUnderAttack | #EbituBlog
This is the Nigeria with Peace and Security the Buhari administration had promised. pic.twitter.com/vcPLmBI5Yz
— E B I T U™ (@EbituPromise) May 28, 2021
