61 killed in fresh herdsmen attacks, communal crisis in Benue

Benue map

It was a bloody weekend in parts of Benue State, following the killing of over 46 persons by rampaging armed herdsmen in two separate attacks on communities in Apa and Gwer West Local Government areas of the state.

This came as no fewer than 15 persons also lost their lives, and closed to 200 houses completely razed in a communal clash between the people of Mbakine and Ojumole, also in Gwer East Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered from an eyewitness that the crisis in Apa started Sunday afternoon, when armed herders invaded Ijaha Ibele Ochekwu, in Apa council, killing two persons and injuring several others.

The source said: “After that incident, people fled for their lives and, when they thought it was all over about 5p.m., the herders launched a full scale attack on Edikwu Ankpali community.

“They shot and killed the defenceless people including women and children who were running for their lives. The attack was totally unprovoked.

“As we speak, 28 bodies have been recovered from the scenes of the attacks and many persons have been moved to hospitals for medical attention.”

Similarly, the marauders also stormed Tse Antswam community in Naka, the headquarters of neighbouring Gwer West council Sunday about 7p.m., shooting at everything in sight.

It was gathered that the attack in the area which is home to thousands of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in thecouncil created pandemonium in the entire Local Government Headquarters.

According an eyewitness, that attack which lasted about two hours claimed over 18 lives and while many have been declared missing and several others battling for their lives after sustained severe injuries.

Chairman of the Gwer West Traditional Council, Chief Daniel Abomtse, who lamented the persistent attacks on his subjects by armed herders said that the armed men came in a guerrilla style and attacked Tse Antswam.