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Benue Lawmakers Survive Ambush by Gunmen

Written by Jerry Alomatu on May 24, 2024

News Views: 304

Five members of the Benue State House of Assembly narrowly escaped an ambush by suspected armed herders on Thursday night. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. at Tyomu in Gwer Local Government Area.

Reports indicate that the gunmen had taken over the Gboko/Makurdi highway, firing indiscriminately at passing vehicles. The lawmakers were returning from an oversight function in Katsina-Ala LGA when they came under attack.

The targeted assembly members included Majority Leader Saater Tiseer, Chief Whip Ipusu Bemdoo, Samuel Jiji of Logo State Constituency, Simon Gabo of Mata State Constituency, and Cephas Dyaku.

Confirming the attack, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Orientation, Elias Audu, said, “On Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 10 p.m., members of the 10th Benue State House of Assembly were ambushed by suspected herders at Tyomu while returning from a public hearing on a bill to establish the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.”

The assailants, numbering over forty and riding motorcycles, opened fire on the vehicles carrying the lawmakers. Speaker Aondona Dajoh expressed deep concern over the frequent attacks on residents and the recent assault on the assembly members, which occurred on the day of a public hearing on a security bill.

The House has called on security agencies to promptly apprehend the attackers and bring them to justice. Attempts to reach the state command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful as her phone was not answered.