Makurdi – One person was killed and 43 cows stolen when gunmen invaded a farm belonging to Bishop Solomon Apochi of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo .
The incident took place on June 10, at Ichama in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Daniel Ezeala, who confirmed the invasion and killing of one person in the attack on Tuesday.
Ezeala also confirmed that the gunmen took 43 cows belonging to the bishop.
The Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government, Mrs Juliana Obeta, told newsmen that there was an unconfirmed report of a truck load of Fulani herdsmen brought to Ichama last week.
Obeta said that she promptly alerted police but there was no trace of the alleged invaders.
“Unfortunately, the herdsmen later attacked on Monday night killing one person and carted away 43 cows belonging to a bishop.
“As I’m talking to you now, many people mostly children and women, are fleeing the area while we are trying to calm them down.
“The corpse of the victim has been deposited at St. Mary Catholic Hospital in Okpoga,’’ Obeta said.
She further said that police authority had dispatched their men to the troubled area to beef up security.
The chairman called on the people of the area to remain calm as the council was on top of the situation.
The state Secretary of Myettiala Cattle Rearers Association, Malam Garus Gololo, said that the Fulanis had no problem with Ichama people.
Gololo denied that the crisis was orchestrated by the Fulanis, saying that it was unknown gunmen who invaded Ichama. (NAN)
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