Miraculous escape for Benue Assembly members as gunmen launch deadly attack
A group of lawmakers from the Benue State House of Assembly narrowly dodged a fatal encounter when they were ambushed by armed gunmen believed to be herders.
The harrowing incident unfolded around 10 pm in Tyomu, located in the Gwer Local Government Area of the state.
The assembly members were en route to Makurdi, the state capital, when they found themselves under siege by the armed assailants.
Tragically, the attack also ensnared some motorists traveling along the Gboko/Makurdi highway.
The lawmakers who were targeted in this brazen assault include Saater Tiseer, the Majority Leader; Ipusu Bemdoo, the Chief Whip; Samuel Jiji representing Logo State Constituency; Simon Gabo from Mata State Constituency, and Cephas Dyaku.
Chairman, House Committee on Information and Orientation, Elias Audu who confirmed the attack said that the assembly members were attacked by suspected armed herders who rode on motorcycles.
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He said, “Yesterday (Thursday) 23, May 2024 by 10 pm honourable members of the 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 purposes connected therewith
“Suspected herders numbering more than forty on motorcycles ambushed them at Tyomu and shot severally at the vehicles conveying members.
“Benue state House of Assembly has condemned in strong terms the attack on residents of Tyomu and Mbakera in Gwer Local Government Area.
“Honourable members who were attacked include Majority Leader Saater Tiseer, Chief Whip Hon Ipusu Bemdoo, Hon Samuel Jiji of Logo, Hon Simon Gabo of Mata state constituency and Rt Hon Cephas Dyaku.”
The lawmaker also said that residents of the Tyomu community and Mbakera have also been invaded by these suspected herders for several days unchallenged.
He expressed the concern of the Speaker of the assembly, Aondona Dajoh over the constant attacks on innocent people of the state and the latest attack on members of the assembly on a day of public hearing on a security bill.
