A paramount ruler in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue and the Ter Tyoshin II, His Royal Highness, Chief Daniel Ayua Abomtse, yesterday revealed that at least 310 people had been killed by suspected herdsmen militia in his domain and 13 others injured in 39 different attacks.
The killings, according to the monarch, occurred within the period of nine years from February 8, 2011 to April 2, 2019.
Chief Abomtse, who disclosed this while interacting with the State Working Committee (SWC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council in Naka, headquarters of the local government, regretted that his subjects were still wallowing in pains and tears.
He wondered why herdsmen would invade his domain in the name of grazing only to also kill, maime and occupy the people’s land.
The paramount ruler said that the continued attacks and destruction of rural communities of the state by the herders called for concerted efforts by all to address the issue.
Chief Abomtse, who challenged the new exco of the union to leave legacies behind for others to emulate, noted that the union needed a conducive environment to operate, saying if journalists fail in their duty, the whole world will collapse.
The state chairman of NUJ, Victoria Asher, said that they were in his palace to condole with the Ter Tyoshin over the frequent attacks on his people by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Asher, who prayed God to give the traditional ruler the wisdom of King Solomon to rule over his people, advised him not to relent in his efforts at resisting the invasion and takeover of the people’s ancestral land by the herders.
The NUJ chairman assured him that the union would continue to partner with his palace in the area of publicity to attract attention to the plight of his people.
