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bout five people are said to have been killed in a fresh crisis between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Ichama community of Okpokwu local government area of Benue State.
Reliable sources informed Nigerian Pilot that the Fulani herdsmen invaded the area and killed five people and carted away 40 cows belonging to the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo.
The development was said to have resulted in an exodus of children and women who were said to be fleeing the area as at the time of filing this report.
The chairman of Okpokwu local government, Mrs. Julihana Obeta, who confirmed the invasion of the herdsmen, however, said only one person was killed, adding that his corpse has already been deposited at St Mary’s Catholic Hospital in Okpoga.
Mrs. Obetta said that there was an unconfirmed report last week of a truck that brought some Fulani herdsmen to Ichama, stressing that she promptly alerted police of their arrival.
“Unfortunately, the herdsmen later attacked on Monday night, killing one person and carted away 40 cows belonging to Catholic Diocese at Ichama. As I’m talking to you now, many people, mostly children and women, are fleeing the area while we are trying to camp them,” Obeta said.
She further disclosed that police authorities have dispatched their men to the troubled area to beef up security and called on the people of the area to remain calm as the council was already on top of the situation.
The state secretary of Myettiala Cattle Rearers Association, Mallam Garus Gololo said that the Fulanis have no problem with Ichama people, stressing that the invasion was carried out by unknown people.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Daniel Ezeala who confirmed the crisis said 40 cows were stolen, adding that no one has been arrested in connection with the development.