See How Benue Livestock Guards were Attacked by Armed Herdsmen
Over the weekend, members of the Benue Livestock Guards (BLSG) faced a violent assault by armed herdsmen in the Kwua community, near Makurdi Modern Market, after confiscating cattle that were grazing illegally and damaging crops.
The confrontation began around 5 pm on Friday when herdsmen led their cattle onto local farms. Acting on a tip-off, BLSG officials arrived and impounded the cattle, prompting the herdsmen to flee. However, they soon returned with reinforcements armed with guns and knives, attacking the officials as they were transporting the cattle to a government holding facility.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers intercepted the BLSG personnel near the Makurdi Modern Market gate, opening fire and assaulting people with knives to reclaim their cattle. Several BLSG members sustained serious injuries, causing chaos and disrupting local commercial activities. Police intervention was met with resistance, and the herdsmen managed to retrieve the cattle.
Chief Joseph Har, the Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Internal Security, confirmed the incident. He stated that a coordinated raid on Saturday morning resulted in the arrest of some suspects. According to Har, the operation involved the Benue State Internal Security and the police, targeting areas like Wadata abattoir and Awe Street in Makurdi.
Har explained, “The BLSG was informed of cattle grazing along the River bank axis. Upon apprehending the cattle, our officials were ambushed by a group of about 60 armed youths near the Modern Market gate. The assailants, wielding guns and machetes, injured several BLSG members and reclaimed the cattle. Despite the intervention of Operation Zenda, the attackers resisted and continued their assault.”
He emphasized that the Anti Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law is not anti-Fulani but applies to anyone rearing cattle in the state. The recent violence by armed youths against state officials in the capital is particularly troubling.
The Saturday operation, involving multiple security units, led to the arrest of 13 individuals and the recovery of a stolen Bajaj motorbike. Further efforts to reach Police Public Relations Officer Superintendent Catherine Anene for comments were unsuccessful.
