Outrage as Fulani herdsmen kill 36 residents, college students in Benue

Fulani herdsmen have attacked Shikaan Mbagena Kpav, a TIV community in Benue State, killing at least 36 residents including students of the College of Education in Katsina Ala.

According to SaharaReporters, the Fulani attackers stormed the community in the early hours of Thursday, and carried out the massacre.

The incident has sparked outrage among Nigerians on social media who condemned the ongoing silent “genocide” under the current administration.

There are conflicting figures of casualties as some believed the attackers might have killed up to 100 residents.

Nigerians are reacting with the hashtag, #BenueUnderAttack, and lamenting the ineptitude of the federal government and security agencies to address the situation of the killer herdsmen.

A Twitter user wrote; When Israel and Palestine were at war for about eight days, the world was alarmed and everybody was shouting but in Nigeria, serious genocide is ongoing against Christians in total blackout of the press, in Benue today this is what fulani herdsmen killed over 100 people, the world is quiet.

Another tweeted; I write this in Tears, Pain and Anguish. I have a few questions that deserve answers: What have the TIV people done? What have our ancestors done wrong that we haven’t been told to at least beg for forgiveness on their behalf? Pls Retweet to the World to see.

https://twitter.com/ChiefTerhemba/status/1395696535724347396?s=19

Kaduna govt pledges safe return of abducted college students

The Kaduna State Government, on Sunday, March 14, said it will ensure the safe return of the 39 students abducted from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, in the Igabi Local Government Area.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the students, comprising of 23 females and 16 males are still in captivity with the bandits demanding N500 million for their release.

This pledge was made via a statement by the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

Aruwan stated that the Kaduna Government acknowledged the efforts of security agencies in the recent rescue of 180 students of the college.

The statement also mentioned the efforts of the military, police, DSS, and other security agencies whose swift intervention prevented the bandits from abducting more persons.

The Kaduna State Government maintains a clear focus at this time, and that is to ensure the safe return of the missing students and to consolidate intelligence gathering and security vigilance towards forestalling possible attempts on other facilities or institutions,” he said.

Aruwan, in an earlier news briefing, said the attack was carried out by a large group of “armed bandits,” adding that the military engaged the attackers and was able to take 180 staff and students to safety.

An unspecified number of the students were injured and are receiving medical attention at a military facility. Security forces “are conducting an operation to track the missing students,” Aruwan said.

Authorities also said that “bandits” were behind the earlier abduction of 279 schoolgirls late last month in the northwest, referring to the groups of armed men who kidnap for money or to press for the release of jailed members of their groups.

Those girls were later freed following negotiations with the government, and it is not known whether a ransom was paid.

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