Police Discover Dead Bodies In Shallow Grave, Fulani/Tiv Crisis

Police Discover Dead Bodies In Shallow Grave, Fulani/Tiv Crisis

The renewed hostilities between the Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers in Naka town of Benue State yesterday took a terrible dimension as some dead bodies were found in a shallow grave at Angwuhagh village in the area.

LEADERSHIP reports that a group of Fulani herdsmen had, last weekend, allegedly attacked Tiv farmers and killed three policemen and a driver and burnt down several houses. A police sergeant was also declared missing and is yet to be found.

The state commissioner of police (CP), Mr Chris Kakwe Katso had on Monday paid a visit to the affected area where he had earlier drafted trucks-load of heavily armed police men to maintain peace.

However, the police public relations officer (PPRO), DSP Daniel Ezeala who accompanied the CP to the scene told LEADERSHIP yesterday that some human bodies which were confirmed dead have been discovered in a grave in the bush path of the troubled village.

According to Ezeala the Fulani herdsmen may have killed their victims and hurriedly buried them in the grave to avoid been caught by security operatives.

The PPRO said it was not yet confirmed whether the missing police sergeant was among the human bodies that were discovered in the grave and added that the state police command had contracted qualified medical personnel to carry out an autopsy on the corpses.

Meanwhile, residents of the affected area including Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers have continued to flee for safety to the neighbouring villages, just as schools, churches as well as market places have been shut down.