Less than 24 hours after two Catholic priests and 17 worshippers were killed by suspected herdsmen at Mbalom in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, the marauders late Tuesday night and early yesterday, launched fresh coordinated attacks on three communities in Guma Local Government Area of the state,,killing no fewer than 39 persons. Several persons also sustained injuries, with over 160 houses, huts and farmlands in the communities razed. Meanwhile, by a unanimous voice vote, the House of Representatives, yesterday, resolved to suspend plenary for three consecutive legislative days in protest against the cold-blood killing of Nigerians by herdsmen. The House also resolved to invite President Muhammadu Buhari to explain why the wave of insecurity in the country has persisted, despite huge funds being expended on security.
The spate of killings in just 24 hours provoked the reaction of Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, which condemned not only Tuesday’s killing of two Catholic priests and some worshippers in a church at Ayar-Mbalom community but also the latest slaughtering of 39 yesterday, saying it was “callous and unfortunate.” It also asked the Federal Government to set up a panel to investigate the incessant killings in the country by herdsmen, especially Benue State.