Fulani herdsmen attacked a cluster of five predominantly Christian villages in Benue state massacring 33 people on Christmas Day, sources said.
“The brutal assault by Fulani herdsmen terrorists has left the community in shock and mourning,” resident Udeti Gira told sources. “The people of Kwande County villages are still waiting for a decisive response from the government to address the escalating insecurity in the area.”
“The assault has resulted in the destruction of farm products [worth several years wages], leaving the community reeling,” resident Abraham Kyambe said. “As the people of Kwande struggle to come to terms with the aftermath of the attack, the question on everyone’s mind is: What’s next? Will the government take decisive action to protect its citizens, or will the cycle of violence continue unchecked?”
Resident Adam Kpandev said no fewer than 33 Christians were killed in the villages of Anwase, Ubutu, Tse Azege, Nyiev-ya and Ityuluv on 25 December as “the terrorist herders” also set homes ablaze.
“The attacks on these communities occurred when the people were busy celebrating Christmas with their loved ones,” Kpandev told sources.
“These attacks are unprovoked and were carried out against Christians by Fulani herdsmen, who invaded the communities and attacked the people. Many Christians are still missing,” said a community leader of the Tiv ethnic group in Benue state, Iorbee Ihagh.
The Rev Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue state, issued a statement on 27 December confirming the attacks and vowing to ensure the assailants were apprehended and brought to justice.
“These attacks are a heinous assault on unarmed, innocent citizens of Benue state by suspected armed herders,” Alia said through his press secretary. “I can assure you the perpetrators of this act will pay dearly for it. They may think they are not known, but they cannot be allowed to continue perpetrating this. It’s a matter of time.”
Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians’ lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.
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