13 killed as bandits attack Benue communities

Gunmen suspected to be armed herders, on Sunday, killed 13 people in separate attacks on Benue communities.

According to locals, 12 people were reportedly killed in Egwuma in the Agatu Local Government Area, while one displaced person returning from a farm was killed in the Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.

Some locals who spoke to journalists on Monday in a telephone chat said one displaced person was injured and five others were missing.

Confirming the report, a lawmaker representing the Agatu state constituency at the House of Assembly, Godwin Edoh, said 12 people were killed.

He said, “We are tired of these daily killings. At Ogbumogbo, Ejima and all those areas down to Ikpele, those villages have been deserted for almost one year. So, those places are like the Fulani colony.

“This one happened yesterday (Sunday), 12 people were killed.”

He debunked the report that peace had returned to the area, stating, “Even the IDPs they said have returned home, If you go there, you will see them there. I don’t know why they use propaganda, it’s not correct.”

In Gwer West LGA, suspected armed herders were reported to have attacked some displaced persons who were returning from their farms on Sunday.

During the ensuing melee, one person was killed, one injured and five others still missing.

A former camp manager in Agagbe IDP camp, Jacob Terna, said, “Armed herders attacked and killed Mr Ikyumbu Aondowase, 30 years, while  Mr Achin Terzungwe, 45 years, was badly injured and five others missing.”

He said the suspected armed herders ambushed the displaced people while returning from their farms.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, confirmed the killing of five people in the Agatu community but said she was not aware of the incident in Agagbe.

“There was an attack in Agatu, about five persons were killed but in Gwer West, I am not aware of that,” he said.