By Wilson Adekumola
Two farmers were reportedly shot dead while busy on their farm by suspected armed herdsmen at Udei community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue state.
It was learnt that the victims were shot Sunday evening while on the farm harvesting locust beans from a tree.
According to a member of the community who identified himself as Jona, the attack which was unprovoked created pandemonium in the community forcing the people to flee their homes.
He said the two men had were on their farm located by the River Kereke to harvest the locust beans to prepare a local spice called ‘Nune’ in the Tiv language to be sold on the next market day when they met their untimely death.
According to the source, while the men were on top of the tree plucking the beans, the armed herdsmen surrounded the tree and opened fire on them.
He said, “They killed the two people Sunday evening. The men went to River Kereke to pluck locust beans for the preparation of ‘Nune’ which they wanted to sell on the next market day. The herdsmen came surrounded by the tree and shot them like animals.
“The two of them fell and died on the spot. Their remains were recovered and buried by the youths of the community.
“The incident has created pandemonium in the community. People are fleeing to neighbouring communities but no one is even sure of the safety and security of any of the communities.”
When contacted on the incident, the state command’s spokesman, SP Catherine Anene, said she was yet to receive the report on the matter.
