Benue Again, 27 Feared Dead

At least 27 persons are feared dead in a brutal attack which took place in the Agena village of Mbaalom, in the District of Gwer-East local government of Benue state in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Survivors and eyewitnesses accounts revealed that the invaders launched the attack on the community at around 5am, waking up many with the sound of gunfire coming from their blazing guns. The invaders were alleged to be the same group of herdsmen who local police seem powerless to stop, or apprehend.

A source said, “Some of us even don’t know how we escaped (with our lives) because nobody here knew where the shots were coming from. We were just running in all directions.” Hours later, 12 bodies were brought by the police to the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi and they hadfresh bullet wounds.

Confirming the incident, Daniel Ezeala Sp, the Makurdi Commands Police spokesperson, insisted that police saw only 7 bodies. There’s been several attacks on the natives in Benue by suspected herdsmen and their militia. Over the weekend, no fewer than 55 people lost their lives in a bloody clash between Tiv youths and suspected Fulani mercenaries at Gbajimba, the headquarters of Guma Local Government Area.