Five members of the Benue State House of Assembly narrowly escaped a potentially fatal attack by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen in Tyo-Mu community, Gwer Local Government Area, on Thursday night.
According to Vanguard, the Chairman of the State Assembly Committee on Information and Orientation, Elias Audu, who disclosed this in a statement condemned the attack, calling it unjustified.
He urged security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure they face the full force of the law.
The lawmakers’ convoy, en route from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area to a public hearing on a Bill for the Establishment of Benue State Civil Protection Guards, encountered the armed men around 10pm.
The attackers, who had besieged Tyo-Mu and Mbakera communities, fired multiple shots at the lawmakers’ convoy before they managed to escape.
The satement read partly, “Members of 10th Benue State House of Assembly were returning from Katsina-Ala after a Public Hearing on a Bill for a Law to Provide for the Establishment of Benue State Civil Protection Guards and for the purposes connected therewith, when suspected herders numbering more than 40 on motorcycles ambushed them at Tyo-Mu and shot severally at the vehicles conveying them.
“Those attacked includes the Majority Leader, Saater Tiseer, the Chief Whip Ipusu Bemdoo, Samuel Jiji of Logo State Constituency, Simon Gabo of Mata State Constituency and Cephas Dyaku of Konshisha.
“Also recall that residents of Tyo-mu community and Mbakera had also been invaded by these suspected herders for several days unchallenged.
“The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh is worried that the mode of operation of the attackers showed that the attack was carefully planned by the herders who are enemies of the State.
“The Speaker is also worried that the attack on members on a day of public hearing on a security bill is more worrisome saying it might not be a coincidence.
“He stated that the House would remain committed and resolute in carrying out her legislative assignment in the interest of the State. The House also call on security agents to immediately arrest the terrorist and bring them to Justice.”
Meanwhile, efforts to contact the Stats Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful.
