Death toll from the multiple attacks by armed invaders on communities in Benue State has risen to 56.
Our correspondent reports that many rural communities of Sankera axis comprising three local government areas of Ukum, Logo and Kastina-Ala came under attacks between Thursday night and Friday morning, leading to the killing of many individuals.
The Benue State Police Command on Friday evening disclosed that 17 bodies had been recovered, 12 from Logo and five from Ukum respectively.
However, Governor Hyacinth Alia acknowledged a total recovery of 56 bodies during his on-the-spot assessment visit to the affected areas on Saturday.
Alia noted that more bodies were found after the initial figure of 17 given by the police. He said 27 bodies were recovered in Logo and 28 in Ukum LGA, with a family said to have already buried one of their dead while Kastina-Ala LGA recorded zero death.
Those who fled the areas are now taking refuge in Internally Displaced Persons’ camps.
The governor, while addressing the people at Ugba IDP camp, called on the Federal Government to assist his administration with the necessary support to end the senseless killings and displacement of innocent citizens in the state.
He sympathised with the families who lost their loved ones to the attacks and promised to take care of the medical bills of those hospitalised
There have been reported incidents of killings on a daily basis for the past six days in Otukpo, Ukum, Gwer West and Logo LGAs of the state.
