Ayilamo settlement in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State has become deserted following a bloody attack by suspected herdsmen that killed three persons and destroyed many property and crops.
Ayilamo settlement, an agrarian community, located at the Bank of River Benue, along Abinsi-Tyulen- Anyiin-Wukari trunk A federal road, is renowned for massive rice, yam and soybeans cultivation, particularly in Tombo ward, Logo Local Government Area, of Benue State.
Suspected armed herdsmen reportedly stormed the community on 9th, October, 2024 between 9pm and 3am, and opened fire on residents who were fast asleep.
Security personnel and youths in the community were said to have put up resistance against the invaders, culminating in a fierce gun battle. In the end, three persons were reportedly killed; over 10 houses were set ablaze while several persons sustained various degrees of injury.
The newly sworn-in Chairman of Logo Government Council, Clement Kav, who hurriedly visited the affected area, condemned the dastardly attacks and killings.
He immediately directed the deployment of troops and mobile policemen to halt further attacks on the community.
The house of the community monarch, Mue Ter Ipusu, Chief Dr. Enoch Ikyumen, was torched and his property burnt down.
The chairman later visited the Ayilamo Primary Health Care (PHC) where those who sustained injuries were being treated, and directed for the immediate transfer of badly injured victims to the Benue State Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.
Gunshot wound victims receiving treatment at Ayilamo PHC include; Yinanga Mbatsavende, Ahua Timothy, Azashachia Butu, Orhiiga Torbee, Dem Msuega, Ahua Mwarga, Vihior Dominic, Doosuur Terna, Mbapinen Mpuuga, Ushahemba Uza, Keghter Uza, Mhen Uza .
Meanwhile calm has returned to the area after more security personnel were deployed.
Some residents of the community who spoke to The Nation said the herdsmen hide under the guise of grazing cattle to perpetrate the heinous crime.
They said they were armed with sophisticated weapons and moved from one house to another, setting them ablaze.
A resident, Mr. Unande, said from Anyibe settlement to Tse Dzungwe- Ibor and Gbeleve villages all the planted yams, maize, corns and soybeans have been destroyed by the herdsmen and their cattle.
“If the state and federal government with their security don’t protect us, hunger alone will kill us,” Unande said.
The Logo Police Division confirmed the incident.