Not less than 25 people have been killed by suspected herdsmen who invaded several villages in three local government areas of Benue State on Tuesday.
The villages in the three Local Government Areas of Guma, Logo and Tarka came under heavy gunfire between 8 pm on Monday night and 3 am on Tuesday in what appeared to be a coordinated siege by the herders.
At least 15 corpses were recovered from the Tyotugh community in Tarka LGA while nine were recovered from Guma and one, a traditional ruler from Logo.
Villagers,,according to Daily Trust report, said the figures could be higher as the search for missing persons was still ongoing at the time of this report.
Chairman of Guma LGA, Caleb Aba, confirmed to the medium that seven people were killed in one swoop at Tse-Sumaka village near branch Umenger in Mbadwem council ward of Guma.
Also, the Special Adviser on Security to the Benue State governor, Lt Col. Paul Hemba (Rtd) told our correspondent on the telephone that the total figures of death recorded so far could be higher than 25 as efforts are ongoing in the bushes to trace whereabouts of missing persons.
“Yes. Those incidences actually happened in Guma, Logo and Tarka. So far, nine corpses were recovered from Guma, In Tarka, where am just coming from with the commissioner of police and commander of 72 the Battalion, so far 15 corpses have been recovered but it is strongly suspected that more will be recovered in the bushes so we are arranging a patrol to comb the bushes because some other persons have not been seen and it is also believed that some attackers left with some other persons alive.
“For now, those are the corpses we have physically seen and counted. When you consider all these things I have told you, the figure may be higher. In Logo, a traditional ruler was involved (killed) but now that I am back I will get my contacts to see if the figure has risen. Yes, they were suspected herders and the attacks happened about the same time in the night. Those who were injured and those who escaped the attacks confirmed that they were herders,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene, said she would make details available later.
“I am currently at the scene as we speak. The incident is confirmed. Corpses have been removed. The road is cleared. Investigation continues,” Anene said.