Three persons were killed in a renewed crisis between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv at Tse Igba Uke Village near Ikpayongo, a suburb of Makurdi, Benue State capital, yesterday.
The Guardian learnt that following the killing of two persons on Wednesday by suspected Fulani herdsmen who invaded Tse Igba Uke Village near Ikayongo in Makurdi Local Council, some youths irked by the development, mounted a roadblock with bonfire along Makurdi/Otukpo Road causing commotion that led to the death of an unidentified passenger.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said: “Some youths barricaded the federal highway at Ikpayongo to protest the killing of two persons at Tse Igba village, few kilometres away from Ikpayongo by Fulani herders.
“The incident happened on Wednesday night and up till yesterday, nobody could say anything. The non-challant attitude of government propelled youths to take to the streets.
“Unfortunately, some motorists were fighting with the youths, which led to serious pandemonium until policemen came and dispersed the youths.” Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Moses Yamu, who confirmed the report, said only two persons were killed while another was critically injured.
“We got report that suspected herdsmen attacked Tse Igba Uke Village, killed one Sunday Kachuwa and injured Zongu Aliade.”
“Youths at Ikpayongo blocked the road in protest of the killing of their own and killed a passenger in the process,” he added.
He said that policemen had been drafted to restore normalcy in the area.He, however, enjoined youths not to take the law into their hands as, according to him, “the command frowns at jungle justice”.
Source: Guardian