By Andrew Haruna
Fear has gripped residents of Jato Aka, a community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, following repeated invasions by suspected herdsmen.
Thousands of people have reportedly fled their homes, seeking refuge elsewhere as tensions escalate.
Fresh Attack Sparks Panic
A resident, speaking to journalists, described the latest attack:
“Kindly take a look at what is happening in Jato Aka. People are running during an attack by Fulani herdsmen.”
According to him, the attack occurred on Saturday, and the situation remains tense.
Another resident confirmed that suspicious individuals were seen before the invasion.
“On March 15, strangers were sighted in the community. These herdsmen have been invading and killing people to take over their homes.”
Community Guards Take Action
Fearing another attack, local guards interrogated the strangers.
“Herdsmen often use informants, paying them to gather information before launching attacks. So, this time, guards were vigilant and questioned anyone suspicious,” the resident explained.
The suspects’ responses were unsatisfactory, leading to their arrest and handover to the police.
However, this move sparked outrage among local youth, who demanded jungle justice instead.
“The youths were angry. A fight broke out, and soldiers in the area responded with gunfire. That’s why people were seen running in the video,” another resident narrated.
Police React
When contacted, the Benue State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Anene Sewuese, confirmed that Jato Aka had been attacked by gunmen but refuted claims that suspects were handed over to the police.
“Yes, there was an attack about two weeks ago. Police were deployed, but fear of another attack has kept the people tensed. However, no herdsmen were handed over to the police,” she stated.
Residents Call for Government Intervention
As of the time of filing this report, residents were still fleeing due to the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
They called on the government and security agencies to act decisively before Jato Aka becomes another casualty in the growing list of Benue communities overrun by armed herdsmen.
