Couple, only child, 7 others killed in fresh herders attacks in Benue
A couple, their only child and seven others have been reportedly killed in fresh attacks on communities in Benue state by suspected armed herdsmen.
It was gathered that communities affected in the latest attacks include Akpanta, Ochumeko and Ijaha in Apa Local Government Area, LGA, where three persons were murdered in cold blood; and Ucheen, a border community between Makurdi and Gwer West LGAs where six persons lost their lives.
The National Chairman of Apa Development Association, Mr Eche Akpoko, who confirmed the attack in Apa LGA explained that the invaders stormed and razed the affected communities at the weekend after killing the victims.
He said: “Akpanta and Ogwuji villages were burnt down and the attackers killed three people at Ijaha village.”
On the Ucheen attack, the Ter Makurdi, Chief Vincent Aule while confirming the attacks said the armed herders killed six persons in the community while another fell and died on seeing the remains of his murdered relatives.
“Yes it happened in Ucheen village, after Adaka, a border community in Makurdi. The armed herdsmen came in at 2:30am and killed about six persons
“Among those killed were one woman, her husband and their child. Besides that, three others were killed, the people were sleeping when the attackers came and killed them in their sleep.
“There was another person who also died. The man was related to the murdered husband and wife. He came that morning and saw them lying lifeless on the ground, he collapsed and eventually died after being rushed to the hospital.”
Chief Aule who said he visited the area, Tuesday morning, in the company of the police said the unprovoked attack was unacceptable and condemnable.
“We have no issues with these people but they have been coming there to attack the people. We have reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police and the Security Adviser,” he said.
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene who confirmed the attack in Ucheen said five persons were killed adding that security personnel had been drafted to the area while the corpses of those killed had been recovered and deposited at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, Makurdi. On the attacks on communities in Apa LGA, she said she was yet to receive details of the incident.
