*Police/Military ordered not to arrest any herdsman grazing in Benue
*5000 inhabitants of Mbataho Island sent packing and scampering for life
*As cattle take over farm land, stored food amidst Fulani takeover of land.
BENUE- Just days after the Benue state Governor Ortom and Tiv Youth President Timothy Hembaror cried over the influx of herdsmen into Benue State in spite of the Presence of Military men under the Operation Cat Race the herdsmen have finally bare their fangs again.
This Time the herdsmen hit at the Mbataho Island and displaced well over 5000 inhabitants of the community and took over residence of the community even with the Military still in the State.
Daily Watch investigations confirmed that the rampaging herdsmen who were all armed with sophisticated weapons took over the island and set their cattle all over the farm land while the headers take up residence in the same community after looting and razing down of some houses.
The Benue State Commissioner who also lamented the attack called on the Military to send the herdsmen packing as the state is under serious influx of herdsmen since the coming of the Military .In his words ‘’In Continuation of the influx of herdsmen into the state a gang of herdsmen three days ago stormed the Mbatoho Island and Mbalagh Council Ward of Makurdi Local Government Area and Sacked the locals and took over the Island’’
Daily watch investigations confirmed that the team of herdsmen that stormed the Mbatoho Island were among those that rush to the state as soon as the Operation Cat Race was declared operational from Nassarawa border town in to Agatu, Guma, Logo, Katsina/ala Local Government Areas even in the full glare of the Military as it was confirmed that there was order from Above not to arrest any herdsmen that grazes in Benue state despite the anti grazing law in place except those armed.
Also confirming the attack was the state Security adviser to the Governor Lt Col Paul Hemba (RTD)
Attempts to reach out to the Operation Cat Race theatre commander on the attack and why the military keeps looking the other way why herdsmen flocks back to the state despite the anti grazing laws was not possible as at the time of going to press.
Daily Watch spoke with Lawrence Onoja, Benue State Commissioner for information who confirmed the new attack by the herdsmen on Mbataho and the displacement of over 5000 inhabitants of the agrarian island.
