Fear has gripped residents of Jato Aka, a community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, following repeated invasions by suspected herdsmen.
This made thousands of residents to flee their homes, seeking refuge elsewhere as tensions escalate, SaharaReporters has gathered.
A resident, speaking to SaharaReporters, described the latest attack: “Kindly take a look at what is happening at Jato Aka, a community under Kwande LGA of Benue State. People running during an attack by Fulani herdsmen.”
According to the resident, the attack occurred on Saturday.
“Even now, there is panic there, and many have left their homes,” he added.
Another resident confirmed the pattern of attacks and the presence of suspicious individuals before the recent invasion.
“An attack happened recently, but on the 15th of March (last Saturday), strangers were sighted in the community (Jato Aka) where herdsmen have been invading and killing people to take over their homes,” the resident said.
Fearing another attack, local guards took action.
“The guards who are protecting the place to prevent more attacks quickly came to enquire in order to know their mission. According to the investigation, herdsmen are always using people by giving them money to go to places, get information about those places for them before launching the attacks,” the resident explained.
He further revealed that past attacks, including the most recent one, occurred after unfamiliar faces were seen moving around the community.
“So, this time, guards were vigilant, and they have been interrogating any stranger coming into the community to know their mission,” he added.
During an encounter with some of the strangers last Saturday, community guards questioned them, but their responses were unconvincing.
“During the interface with the strangers that were sighted last Saturday, their responses were not satisfactory. Thereafter, they were arrested and handed over to the police,” the resident narrated.
However, the move sparked outrage among the youth, who believed the suspects should have faced jungle justice locally instead of being handed over to the police.
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“Youths in the area were not happy with the police involvement in the matter as they wanted to handle the situation in their own way. It was at this point a fight broke out, and the officers from the Nigerian Army that were in the area came shooting. That’s why in the video, you can see people running away for their safety,” one of the residents said.
When contacted, the Benue State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Anene Sewuese, confirmed that Jato Aka was recently attacked by gunmen but refuted claims that any suspects were handed over to the police.
“Yes, there was an attack at Jato Aka about two weeks ago, but police officers were deployed to the area. However, fear of another possible attack has kept the people tensed,” she told SaharaReporters.
She further clarified: “Herdsmen were not handed over to the police.”
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters learned that as of the time of filing this report, residents were still fleeing the community due to uncertainty about what lies ahead.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, the residents urged the government and security agencies to take decisive action before Jato Aka becomes another victim in the growing list of communities overrun by armed herdsmen in the state.
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