12 killed in fresh attacks on Benue community

The incident happened barely 24 hours after gunmen also suspected to be herdsmen slaughtered 10 persons in Turan Kwande Local Government Area of the state,

The two incidents have attracted wide condemnation from the general public.

According to an indigene of the area who took part in the recovery of the bodies, Loyal Ukeri, nine persons were killed in Mbapa Council Ward while three others were killed in Mbabuande Council Ward of the local government.

A community leader, Chief Nyitamen Kwaghtsa, who narrowly escaped from the attack after his elder brother was killed, said the killer herdsmen came on motorcycles at about 4pm and commenced the attack at Tse Ibe killing only men while asking women to escape with children.

He noted that the gunmen later moved into the Kyande settlement area killing many people.

He said the armed men later made away with motorcycles of people killed after razing so many houses in the communities.

An elderly woman, Mama Kaseve Ajo, who escaped from the attackers, told The Nation that the gunmen helped her to escape with her two children because of her age.

When contacted the Local Government’s Security Secretary, Justin Chikpa, confirmed the incident saying the council Chairman, Hon Grace Igbabon, had mobilised security personnel to the areas.

Attempts to speak with the Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO Kate Anene, proved abortive as she neither answered her calls nor replied a text message sent to her phone.

At press time, many villagers, among them children and elderly people were seen fleeing from the scene of the attack.