Army commander excludes herdsmen from fresh Benue killing

A Nigerian Army commander has said the allegation that cattle herders were responsible for the fresh killings in three local government areas of Benue State is untrue.

TheCornet reports that the assailants killed 24 people in the affected villages of Guma, Logo and Tarka LGAs of Benue.

Major General Adeyemi Yekini, during his assessment visit to the villages, told natives that he believed bandits, and not herdsmen, were behind the attack.

Yekini, who is the chief of defence, training and operations, said his knowledge of the area informed his opinion.

“I understand that 15 people or thereabout were killed in this community (Tyotugh). But as to who and who is responsible, to me, personally, is not herdsmen,” he said.

“I was the pioneer Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke OPWS and I spent three years in this general area. And I know that what we have here is actually bandits’ attack but it will not be proper to pin it down to herdsmen.

“Because this area is a bit far from the normal grazing route of herdsmen. In fact, most of the herdsmen that we have in Benue usually operate at the boundary areas between Benue and Nasarawa States.

“Tarka is far from the normal grazing route and I believe that herdsmen might not be responsible for this. But whichever group is responsible will be tracked down and neutralized.

“We will unmask which group did this, go after them.”