Suspected armed herders kill four in Benue attack

Four people were reportedly killed by suspected armed herders in a renewed attack on Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Several others also sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack, which occurred on Monday.

A local source said the attackers invaded the community at about midnight, attacking homes and killing residents in their sleep.

One of the residents, who identified himself only as Atoundo, said no provocation warranted the attack.

“They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses.

“Three persons were killed during the attack, while several others sustained injuries. The injured were taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba, but one of them later died, bringing the death toll to four.”

Also reacting to the incident, a former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board, Dr Frank Kyungun, who hails from the community, described the attack as unprovoked.

He said, “It was an unprovoked attack by armed herders. They came at about midnight and launched a heavy assault on the community. They killed four people and left several others injured. Those wounded have been taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba.

“We accompanied the former governor to sympathise with our people and urged them to remain calm and allow the police to carry out their investigations.”

In his reaction, the Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Morris Orwough, condemned the attack in a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Ernest Tortiv.

The chairman said security personnel had been deployed to Abaushwa to restore peace, protect lives and property, and prevent further attacks.

He urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and continue to provide credible information to assist efforts to tackle insecurity in the area.

The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondona, also confirmed the attack, saying four people were killed.

The police spokesperson said, “I can confirm that there was an attack in Guma LGA in which four persons were killed by suspected bandits.

“Investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.”