BEVERLY HILLS, March 07, (THEWILL) – The Police in Benue state, on Wednesday, gave a graphic account of how last weekend’s killings in Omusu, Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state, was carried out by herdemen.
According to the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, the herdsmen invaded a peace meeting organised by the Okpokwu Local Government Chairman between the community and the Fulani leader, following complaints of an attack, killing people indiscriminately.
No fewer than 24 people were killed in that attack and they are to be given a mass burial on Friday.
Owoseni said four herdsmen have been arrested in connection with the killings and they were assisting in investigation and would be charged to court adding that the police had also arrested 44 persons for violating the anti-open grazing law.
“The police are also involved in confidence-building patrols in Chille, Mbalagh, Makurdi Local Government Area where over 5,000 people were displaced by herdsmen,” he stated.
“As a preventive measure, we are engaging chairmen of the affected areas, relevant state government agencies and the herdsmen to find lasting solution to the crisis. We want to urge the residents to alert security operatives of any strange movement and activities.”
The commissioner of police who reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring peace in the state, promised that nobody would be spared for violating the law declaring that following the deployment of more security officers, normalcy has returned to the community.
The police chief said 12 suspects were arrested for armed robbery and cultism. Weapons, including one locally fabricated pistol, one English pistol, one AK47 rifle, two AK47 Magazines, 29 rounds of live ammunition, two live cartridges, two motorbikes and one motorcycle with gadgets were recovered from them.
