Suspected herdsmen kill 9 traders, kidnap 1 in fresh Benue attacks
Suspected herders invaded some communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State killing nine persons in separate attacks.
The attacks were said to have taken place on Friday, Sunday and Monday, leading to the death of nine persons.
During the attack, nine persons, including the younger brother of Guma Local Government Area Chairman of Benue State, traders, and church attendees were killed.
A source, simply identified as Tersoo said, “The herders’ incidence in Guma local government area is becoming alarming. Since last weekend, about nine persons have been killed.
Chairman of the Council, Mr Caleb Aba, while confirming the incident said the armed herders attacked three different places and communities which started last weekend, including the kidnap of his younger brother while on his way to the farm with four others.
Read Also:
Aba said: “On Friday last week, my younger brother went to the farm with four others in the outskirts of Gbajimba town of Guma LGA to harvest rice when the attackers ambushed them on the farm. The other four ran and were not caught but he is the youngest among them and could not escape. They caught him.
“I have been following it until this morning when I learned he was killed. We have not recovered the body.
“Also, on Sunday evening which was Gbajimba market day, the NKST church had their holy communion; so those who were coming from the church and those leaving the market were attacked by the armed herdsmen. Four people were killed and several others sustained injuries. They are presently receiving treatment in Gbajimba and the Air Force Base hospital in Makurdi.
“On Monday morning, they also invaded Ulever community and four people were killed in that attack,” adding that security personnel had been alerted over the development.
Contacted, Benue Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, confirmed that four people were killed while others sustained injuries.
She said: “Four people were killed in the attack while others sustained injuries. The scenes have been visited by the Commissioner of Police and an investigation is in progress. The commissioner also visited General Hospital Gbajimba to see the injured persons who were responding to treatment”.
