Again, Benue Bleeds As Killer Herdsmen Launch Fresh Attacks, Claim 46

No fewer than Forty-six persons were reportedly killed on Wednesday as suspected armed herders invaded the Umogidi community of Entekpa Adoka district in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The fresh attack came a day after suspected herders raided the community and killed three persons on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, on Monday, the Igbobi community in the neighboring Apa Local Government Area of the state was also attacked, with three persons killed.

It was gathered that the armed herders returned to the Umogidi community on Wednesday evening, shortly after the burial of the three persons earlier killed in the Tuesday attack.

Speaking to journalists on the phone, the Special Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom on Security, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba (retd.), described the incident as “very tragic and painful.”

He said, ‘I can confirm to you that there was an attack in Umogidi and as of this morning, the causality figure, from those who were seen physically from what I was told, was 46. But the figure may be higher because some people are still reported missing.”

Also, confirming the attack, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Bako Eje, on Thursday, said, “You know that these herders killed three people on Tuesday and they (herders) came back on Wednesday at about 4.15 pm and killed 46 people, including own son, who was 32 years old. We just buried him and some other persons are still missing.

“Among the people killed were my immediate younger sister’s husband, and her second son who was almost 38 years old.”

Narrating the attack, a resident of the community, who identified himself as Sunny, said, “We were still mourning the death of the three people killed on Tuesday by these herders when we started hearing gunshots from different angles leading to the death of several people.”

The spokesperson for the state police command, Catherine Anene, confirmed the recovery of eight corpses.

PUNCH.