BENUE: Suspected herdsmen kill livestock guard, injure one in Mballah

ONE of the livestock guards working in collaboration with agro rangers for the implementation of the Benue State anti-open grazing law was shot and killed by those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

The incident was said to have occurred on Friday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

The incident, according to a source happened around 6 pm at Mballah close to NASME barracks in Makurdi.

Narrating how the attack was carried out, the Commander of livestock guards, Linus Zaki, said that the suspected Fulani herdsmen had laid ambush when the livestock guards were on patrol.

According to Zaki, the armed men infiltrated the stronghold of the troops from the areas where the troops were not stationed.

“We (livestock guards) were coming on a motorcycle and suddenly we heard gunshots from both sides of the road and they succeeded in killing one of our guards and injured one other.

Security Adviser to the governor, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba (rtd), who confirmed the incident, said that the livestock guards who were on patrol were ambushed.

“There was an incident of an attack on members of livestock Guards’ who went out on patrol in company with agro rangers to Mballah council wards close to NASME Barracks in Makurdi,” stated Lt. Col Hemba

“They were ambushed by suspected herdsmen bandits who laid an ambush in the bush and suddenly opened fire on them killing one of them instantly and injuring the other one badly. He is currently receiving treatment.

Hemba said that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke were later informed and they responded swiftly but added that the bandits had disappeared before they (troops) arrived.