Nigeria's Fulani Attack kills 53 in Benue

In a renewed attack by Nigeria's Fulani herdsmen in Benue State Monday, Fifty three persons are killed at a funeral ceremony. The mourners, according to an eyewitness report, had just buried a slain police officer whose remains were brought from Nasarawa State and were praying and singing when suddenly there was an invasion by the Fulani herdsmen.

The sporadic shooting by the herdsmen led to the death of 53 people, while several others who escaped, sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Speaking to journalists on the development, Benue State Governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, said the level of killing and destruction was shocking to the state government but added that the actual figure of deaths was still being compiled.

He condemned the attack while also confirming that the state government is beefing up security in the affected areas.

Similarly, the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr John Ngbede, who is an indigene of Agatu had condemned the attack, describing it as unacceptable and unfortunate.

The Fulani herdsmen had last week attacked eight villages in Agatu, burning down several houses and killing over 30 persons.