Benue: Herdsmen attacks claim 577 lives in 13 years – Abomtse

A monarch in Benue State, Ter Nagi, HRH Chief Daniel Abomtse, has confirmed that over 577 of his subjects were killed in 141 violent herdsmen attacks over the last 13 years.
He disclosed this on Wednesday during the formal flag-off of the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their ancestral lands in Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area.
Chief Abomtse noted that the IDPs were displaced from their ancestral homes over the past 13 years and had not set foot on the land since the first documented attack on February 8, 2011.
The Benue State Government has begun a gradual resettlement of IDPs, with the first batch in Gwer West Council Area.
The Tyoshin Development Association, led by its President, Chief Tarnongu Tiza, mobilized the community to clear long-abandoned access roads to complement the state government’s efforts.
Several feeder roads, including Annue-Agbu City, Kula-Anguhar, Tse Lagu, and the Camp Nagi-Agberagba Road, were cleared to ease the movement and return of IDPs in Mbakyondu and Sengev wards.
Other roads that received attention included Anguhar Road in Tyough Atee/Injaha Council Ward and those of Tse-Aji, Agberagba, and Tse Chagu in Gbaange/Tongov and Mbachono Council Wards.
Tiza explained that the decision to undertake road rehabilitation was fueled by the desire to encourage the IDPs to return to their ancestral homes and rebuild their lives.
“This critical project will pave the way for the safe resettlement of IDPs, restoring hope, confidence, and livelihoods for the affected communities,” the community leader said.
The returnee IDPs, who were highly elated to return to their ancestral land, applauded Governor Hyacinth Alia for making their resettlement a reality.
A returnee, Mrs. Franca Chia, called on the government and well-meaning individuals to assist in rebuilding critical infrastructure such as homes, schools, and hospitals to enable them to fully resettle and rebuild their lives.
The Technical Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Media and Strategic Communications, Solomon Iorpev, who led the government delegation, said his principal’s homegrown security approach was yielding results.
Benue: Herdsmen attacks claim 577 lives in 13 years – Abomtse