Crimes

Herdsmen attack Benue communities, kill 50

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have killed no fewer than 50 persons during a four-day attack in some communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The communities invaded by the suspected herdsmen were Adam, Iyarinwa, Abamde Ityuluv, Waya Boagundu, Agura Ayaga, and Azege areas in Turan Council Ward, Kwande LGA of Benue State.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the immediate past Chairman of Kwande LGA, Tertsua Yarkbewan, said over 50 people were killed by the assailants.

“My people are being massacred like goats. What we have been hearing is that there are Fulani attacks, especially in Turan in the Kwande axis. Even places where there were no attacks before are witnessing attacks.

“Now, every day you hear that five or four people were killed, you cannot have the exact number of those that have been killed because some corpses are still in the bush and yet to be recovered.

“But looking at the number of people being killed in the past few days, I think the casualty figures should be over 50,” Yarkbewan disclosed.

However, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, while speaking on the incident, said the casualty figure was below 50.

“They have not given me the report but it is not up to 50. The initial report they gave me, there was a change of leadership of the division.

“The new DPO just reported last Friday and when I asked him to give me a situation report he said the area is calm now,” the police spokesperson said.

The Star