By Peter Duru, Makurdi
A middle aged man, Gabriel Vandefan has been reportedly killed and beheaded by suspected armed herdsmen in his farm at Uikpam community, Guma Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state
His killers also reportedly chopped off one of his hands and went away with it.
Uikpam community is home to large number of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, who were sacked from their ancestral homes by the marauders.
The murder of the farmer came less than one week after the community was thrown into pandemonium following the reported heavy sound of heavy gunshots near the community Market square that left people including the IDPs scampering for safety.
A source in the community who gave his name as James disclosed that the deceased had Thursday gone to the farm located not far from his residence to harvest his millet when he was waylaid by the invaders.
“He simply went to harvest millet from his farm that is just a stone throw from his house this afternoon around 12 noon when armed herdsmen caught him.
“He actually brought home the first batch of the bags of millet and went back to move the rest when no one saw him again.
“After waiting for some hours, his family members became worried. They went searching for him only to discover his lifeless body in the farm.
“Sadly they killed him and beheaded him. They also cut off one of his hands and went away with it. It is so disheartening to see this happening here in Uikpam because we have large number of IDPs in this community. Everyone is worried for their safety at the moment.
“The IDPs themselves have become unsettled because of this development. And for a long time now people do not sleep in Uikpam, they move to Daudu to sleep for fear of being attacked at night by herdsmen.
“It will interest you to know that Uikpam is the only community in Mbabai Council Ward where you can find human beings. The entire Council Ward is already deserted for fear of armed herdsmen who are making life miserable for the people. In fact this is another sad day for us.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent, DSP, Udeme Edet said she was yet to receive any report on the incident.
The post Again, armed herders kill, behead farmer in Benue community appeared first on Vanguard News.
