Just when Benue farmers were enjoying some respite from the activities of dare-devil Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the state, no fewer than 12 persons were late Friday night reportedly killed by suspect herdsmen at Tarfi village, Binnev Ward, in Buruku local government area. Sunday Vanguard learned that the attack also left so many villagers with varying degrees of injuries while several others were still reported missing and unaccounted for.
According to a source, the armed men stormed the village in their numbers from neighbouring Tarka Local Government at about 11pm, shooting sporadically and burning down houses and huts in the community.
He said, “there is no doubt that it is this same group of herdsmen that have been terrorizing Tarka and Buruku Local Government Areas in recent times that are responsible for this attack.
“This time they stormed Tarfi village, Binnev Ward, in Buruku late last night at about 11pm, in a commando fashion shooting and killing anything that stood in their way.
“It was a well coordinated attack. They marched through the village burning down houses and huts, farmland, food barn and any property that belonged to the indigenous people.
“At the moment, the calls we received from home indicated that about 12 persons were killed while many sustained serious injuries and many others still missing and unaccounted for. “As I’m speaking with you, the locals, including women, children and the elderly, have all fled their homes, trekking long distances to seek a safe place to hide, while the intruders have gone into hiding though their cows are still grazing in the village.
When contacted, the Benue Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Assistant Superintendent, ASP, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the attack, said the Police recorded five deaths in the incident adding that the Command was on top of the situation. Yamu said, “yes I can confirm the attack on Tarfi village, Binnev Ward, in Buruku Local Government Area of the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen; so far we have record five deaths, two persons were killed in the village but three others who sustained injuries in the attack died on their way to the hospital.”