Suswam’s nephew, 16 others allegedly killed by herdsmen, Benue govt relocates IDPs
Seventeen bodies have been recovered following a bloody attack on Anyiin, the council headquarters of Logo Local Council in Benue State.
Anyiin, the hometown of former Benue State Governor and ex-Senator for Benue North East, Gabriel Suswam, was the scene of the assault. Among the victims was Suswam’s nephew, Bobo Suswam.
Logo Local Council Chairman Clement Kav confirmed the incident, telling The Guardian that two bodies were initially found at Ayilamo and another 10 at Anyiin yesterday morning.
However, two hours later, a resident of Anyiin, Adegwa, informed The Guardian that five more bodies had been recovered, bringing the death toll to 17.
Kav also disclosed that he, along with traditional rulers from the area, was summoned to the Government House in Makurdi by the state government to provide a report on the situation.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Government yesterday relocated Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the Nepa IDP camp to a new mega camp at Tse Dei, Mbayongo, in Guma Local Council.
The IDPs, victims of previous herdsmen militia attacks, had been left homeless.
Alexander Tsaga, Permanent Secretary in the Benue State Ministry of Humanitarian and Disaster Management, told reporters at the mega camp that 835 displaced persons were being transferred to the new location.
When asked if the new camp aligned with the government’s earlier commitment to resettle IDPs, Tsaga declined to comment, directing journalists to the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA).
He explained that matters regarding the resettlement were under BSEMA’s purview.
BSEMA Executive Secretary Sir James Iorpuu stated that the camp was designed to include essential social amenities to support a communal lifestyle for the displaced.
Represented by Benue SEMA Information Officer Ager Tema, Iorpuu noted that the camp provides a market, schools, churches, and recreational facilities.
He added that three previous IDP camps at Tse Baka, Nepa, and Ichua have already been resettled at the new site.
