Grief and anger hung heavy in the air of Mbakyor in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday as the state government conducted a mass burial for 17 victims of a recent attack by armed Fulani herdsmen.
The attack, which occurred on the night of 6th March, reportedly left 19 people dead, including a retired army officer and a young boy. Due to the gruesome nature of the killings, two of the victims were buried earlier.
The remaining 17 caskets were laid to rest in a solemn ceremony attended by grieving families, government officials, and community members. The Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Sam Ode.
Dr Ode expressed the government’s deep sorrow and condemned the violence. “Today is a sad day in the history of Benue State,” he stated. “To line up caskets like this is unacceptable. I am so saddened and my heart is heavy to see this kind of spectacle that shouldn’t have happened.”
He also addressed the ongoing issue of herder-farmer clashes in the state, saying “The best solution to the activities of these rampaging armed herdsmen in the state is the formation of vigilante groups in the villages.”
However, locals remain frustrated and fearful, expressing a sense of helplessness.
This latest attack marks yet another chapter in the long-standing conflict between herders and farmers in the region. Clashes over grazing land and water resources have resulted in numerous deaths and displacement over the years.
But the government has vowed to investigate the attack and find the culprits. The mass burial serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of this ongoing conflict.
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