By Kolawole Ojebisi
In what appears to be a daring move and an attempt to call the bluff of federal government’s topshots strategizing to end the protracted insurgency in the North, suspected herdsmen have attacked Wannune community in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State.
Wannune is the hometown of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and a former governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume. The SGF is also a former Senator and an erstwhile minister for Special Duties.
The New Diplomat’s checks reveal that the suspected herdsmen struck in the community around Friday midnight, leaving many dead and several others injured.
This development is coming about 48 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited the state in an effort to address the deteriorating security situation.
“Everyone is running into the bushes for safety. Please let Nigerians pray for us. The herdsmen are ravaging the environment now,” A youth corps member serving in the area was quoted by Dailypost, a Nigerian daily, to have said.
According to Dailypost, the Youth Corps member described the situation as terrifying and uncontrollable just as he called on security agencies for urgent intervention.
Recall that Akume spoke hours after Tinubu’s visit to the state, assuring residents of the state of government’s swift intervention to end the lingering state of insecurity in Benue State.
Recall also that Tinubu’s visit followed horrifying killing in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 people were reportedly murdered, an action that triggered national and international outcry
Tinubu, during his tour of the state, met with stakeholders and traditional rulers.
The President vowed to rise to the occasion while immediately directing the Inspector General of Police(IGP),Mr Kayode Egbetokun and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, to arrest those behind the killings.
