By Amos Aar
THE PEOPLE of Yelwata Community in Guma LGA of Benue State on Monday blocked the Makurdi-Lafia federal highway in protest over the killing of three members of the community by unknown gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.
The Monday attack came barely two months after suspected herders killed over two hundred (200) people in the same community.
Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Udeme Edet, confirmed the killing in a statement she made available to journalists on Monday.
“At about 0700hrs, Police tactical teams deployed to Yelwata, heard gun shots from armed men heading towards Yelwata town. In response, the police tactical teams and other security agents on ground braced up against the invaders with superior fire power. The bandits were eventually repelled and they fled with gunshot injuries.
“Unfortunately, when the security units in Yelwata pursued the bandits into the forest, it was discovered that they had attacked some persons who had earlier gone to their farms at the outskirts of the village, three persons sustained serious injuries. They were taken to Benue State University Teaching Hospital where they are currently receiving treatment, while three other persons were confirmed dead”, the statement read in part.
However, Chief Denis Utsa, President of the United Farmers Benue Valley, told National Record in a chat that Lakurawa bandits from Nasarawa State were responsible for the attack.
