In the wake of a spate of deadly attacks, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has called on the Nigerian Federal Government to send more troops to the state. Over the last five days, 134 people have been killed in Otukpo, Apa and Guma local government areas (LGAs).
Governor Ortom made the appeal during a visit to Mgbam community in Nyiev council ward of Guma LGA, where 36 people, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), were killed on Friday night by suspected terrorists. Another 40 people were injured in the attack.
These incidents follow two other recent attacks in which 47 people were killed in Ikobi community of Apa LGA on Monday, including the traditional ruler and his subjects, and 51 people were killed in Umogidi community of Otukpo LGA on Wednesday.
The Governor expressed his displeasure at the situation, stating that IDPs and farming communities in the state had become soft targets for terrorists. He further lamented the continuous killings, appealing for help from the President.
It is worth noting that these attacks resumed immediately after the conduct of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections. Rural communities in Kwande, Guma, and Gwer West LGAs in Benue State have been left in fear of further attacks.
Survivors of these attacks are currently receiving treatment at the state university teaching hospital in Makurdi.
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