Suspected armed herders kill 3 farmers in Benue community

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen militia have attacked Gilim Ashi community in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, killing three farmers. The victims were identified as Mr. Ioryer Kwaghkaha, Ayila Atsar, and another person, whose name was not given as at the time of filing this report.

Our correspondent gathered that the victims were brutally attacked and shot dead while working on their farms in Gilim Ashi village, a settlement along the Naka–Agagbe road, behind Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Naka.

The incident occurred at the early hours of Friday.

A local, who confirmed the incident, stated that the bodies of the deceased have been evacuated and deposited at the Naka morgue.

According to him, the latest killing happened barely 24 hours after armed herders ambushed and killed a traveler along the Naka–Makurdi road near Kula village.

He maintained that, although troops of the Nigerian Army, earlier repelled the attackers on Thursday, but they later returned early morning of Friday targeting farmers in the area.

The local said the renewed attack, which was unprovoked has heightened fear across communities already battling persistent insecurity. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet confirmed the incident.

She however stated that Patrol and Tactical teams have been deployed to the area and they combing the nearby bushes, while investigation is still ongoing.