Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam was enroute to a displaced persons’ camp in Guma Local Government in his convoy when a group of Fulani herdmen/bandits opened fire on his convoy at Tse Akenyi.
The Governor’s security detail engaged the gunmen for over an hour, according to sources until they were finally able to overpower them.
After the attack, Suswam who was obviously rattled continued to Guma where he spoke to the people there.
His words, “I salute each and every one of you for your courage and steadfastness throughout this period. This is beyond the herdsmen; this is real war.
“On my way to this place, they exchanged gun shots with us for over one hour before we were able to come here.
“My people are being killed, butchered and their homes destroyed. So, if the security agents, especially the military, cannot provide security for us, we will defend ourselves.
“I cannot abandon you people at this point in time to die. You voted me to provide security for you and I must do that for you.
“These Fulani are not like the real Fulani we used to know.
“Please return to your homes and defend your land, do not allow anybody to make you slaves in your home land,’’ he said.