From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
No fewer than 43 persons have been killed by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen in renewed attacks carried out on several communities of Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State.
This was barely one week after herdsmen militia shot a priest, Rev Fr Solomon Atongo, along the Makurdi-Naka road, attacked four communities in Gwer West LGA, including the village of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, and killed 42 persons, including a Mobile Police Officer.
It was gathered that on Sunday evening, June 1, at about 7 pm, herdsmen invaded Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West LGA, and two other villages in Apa LGA and unleashed mayhem on villagers, killing several persons and injuring others.
By the break of dawn on Monday, locals said 18 persons were killed in Naka, while 25 persons were killed in Apa LGA.
Chairman of the Traditional Council in Gwer West, the Ter Nagi, HRH Daniel Abomtse, who confirmed the attack on his people, said the attackers came in a guerrilla style and attacked Tse Antswam.
“As I am talking to you now, Monday morning, 18 corpses have been recovered, and many people sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“In fact, the way some people were butchered, I doubt if they will survive; search is still ongoing because many ran into the bush with gunshot wounds, and some also entered the well to escape the herdsmen,” the monarch said.
The monarch said that the community attacked was opposite a military checkpoint along the Naka-Makurdi road.
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the attacks.
In a message to newsmen in Makurdi on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO DSP Udeme Edet, said, “This is to confirm that there was an attack yesterday at Naka and Apa.”
She said the tactical teams have been deployed and are already on the ground and are on top of the situation.
“I will get back to you after getting further and accurate information, please,” she pleaded.