Armed men suspected to be herdsmen on Monday invaded Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, killing three farmers and injuring three others.
A local resident, who requested anonymity, said the assailants stormed the area in broad daylight, shooting sporadically at anyone in sight.
Youth leader Achii Matthias told reporters that the victims were among a few residents who had refused to relocate to an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp. The killings sparked protests, with angry residents blocking the Makurdi–Lafia–Abuja federal highway and displaying the corpses.
“Three people were killed and three others injured. Our people are protesting because despite the presence of about 200 security personnel in Yelwata and its environs, the Fulani still attacked in broad daylight,” Matthias said, adding that the Governor’s Security Adviser and the Guma LGA Chairman were on the ground to assess the situation.
Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, confirmed the incident, saying the attack occurred in a village near Yelwata. “The road that was blocked has now been reopened,” he stated.
When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she would provide details later.
The latest attack comes less than two months after a June 13 midnight assault on Yelwata, in which over 200 farmers, including women and children, were killed.
