Homes and Schools Burnt, as Gunmen Killed 36 in Benue

In Gbajimba town, the headquarters of Guma local government area of Benue State, gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen killed no fewer than 36 people.

Churches and schools were burnt, just as shops and some government properties including the secretariat situated in the centre of the town were torched. The place is now totally deserted.

Until yesterday, Gbajimba was the only place that was yet to be attacked in the entire local government area. Since the day Governor Gabriel Suswam’s convoy was attacked in the area, the homes of the supervising minister of aviation, Mr Samuel Ortom, and commissioner for lands and survey, Mr John Tondo, have been destroyed.

According to Leadership, the council chairman, Frank Usa- Adi, who narrated the incident at the Accident and Emergency wing of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital,  Makurdi, yesterday, said the attackers shot sporadically and killed scores of people.

Adi, who narrowly escaped death, accused the police of showing levity. "The gunmen came, killed, burnt houses and quickly left the place without security interference, he said."

The police public relations officer, SP Daniel Ezeala, confirmed the attack but said "the command will brief newsmen when the casualty number is ascertained". He added that men of the police were deployed to the place to maintain peace.

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