Many residents have been killed in a clash between herders and farmers in some communities of Kwande local government area of Benue State.
Eyewitnesses said many people were still missing some with gunshot wounds on several inhabitants and burnt houses.
A resident stated that the attacks began just a week ago and escalated during the weekend to other parts of Kwande, including Moon, Mbaikyor, Mbadura and Ilyav council wards.
Meanwhile, the Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, confirmed that there was a recent conflict between herders and local guards in the affected areas over confiscation of livestock. It added that herders were killed in the process, but that peace was currently being brokered by military authorities and other security agencies in the state.
However, the new Public Relations Officer of ‘Operation Whirl Stroke’, Flight Lieutenant DO Oquah, said the matter was being resolved.
Meanwhile, spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, said she is yet to get details of the incidents from the Divisional Police Officer, DPO who just resumed duties in the area. She added that the new DPO in-charge of Kwande said calm had been restored to the vicinity.
