The Benue State Police Command has denied reports of a new herdsmen assault in Wannue which is a community located in Tarka Local Government Area. The announcement comes in response to widely shared online posts that suggested sheriffs with guns recently assaulted residents in the region.
The police have confirmed that the incident took place on June 21 it was not an assault on herdsmen or a group of people.
According to police reports, it happened at around 8:00 p.m. in the area of Akume Road in Wannue. A young man named Aondohemba Yeyough, was fatally wounded and killed on the incident. An investigation by police led them to determine the shooter to be Saater Aii. He is a well-known ex-convict.
The suspect was believed to be equipped with an AK47 rifle. Eyewitnesses claimed Saater entered the area with a gun, fired, and was quickly repelled by the locals who were able to seize the gun. But before law enforcement were able to arrive, Saater escaped. Two individuals who attempted to confront him got injured and are being treated in a nearby hospital.
Police officers inspected the scene, and recovered the AK-47 rifle that was used during the shooting. They also questioned witnesses, and found out that the shooting wasn’t related to herdsmen or other conflicts between groups.
Authorities advised the public to ignore online reports of the herdsmen’s attack, calling these claims to be “false and misleading.” They cautioned against the spread of unverified stories, especially in the most sensitive zones where tensions are likely to get out of control.
Police assured residents in Wannue as well as the communities surrounding it that the patrols were intensified and that they are working to capture the suspect who fled.
Citizens were advised to report any activity that appears suspicious to the police and stay clear of concluding that it is a good idea to do so, as this could cause more fear or excessive fear or panic.
The latest developments come during a time Benue State has been under strict surveillance after a number of violent violence in the rural regions. Police said they will continue to protect life and maintaining peace in the entire local government area.
