Another Five Feared Killed By Suspected Herdsmen In Benue

At least, five persons have been feared killed after herdsmen
again, attacked some villages in Gwer West Local Government area of
Benue State early hours of Friday.

However, some of the armed herdsmen were said to have escaped
with gunshot wounds after troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS)
trailed them to the Benue Nasarawa border and engaged them in a gun
duel.

It was gathered from locals that the armed herdsmen had first
invaded Ahume Village along Makurdi/Naka Road but were dislodged by
the troops who then stationed at the village to ward off possible
attack by the invaders.

A local who simply gave his name as Aver said while the troops
were patrolling Ahume community, the herdsmen went further to
Tse-Nyarei Village and started shooting in all direction killing
five people and injuring others including a pregnant woman.

Our Correspondent gathered that the five dead bodies have so far
been recovered by security agencies, while three others including a
pregnant woman were rescued alive with severe gunshot injuries even
as many were said to still be missing.

He said the dead bodies have been evacuated while the wounded
were also taken to hospital for treatment.

“Last night there was a distress call that herdsmen attacked
Ahume village along Makurdi-Naka road. As troops stationed in Kula
village were alerted, the bandits ran to another village Tse Nyarei
where they killed three people.

“Many others were injured. The soldiers followed and met the
bandits at the river bank on the border between Benue and Nasarawa
States where they exchanged fire with them. They however crossed
the river and escaped in to Nassarawa State.”

Aver said there was a fierce battle as the troops who trailed
the attackers towards the Benue Nasarawa border exchanged fire with
them killing some of their cattle adding that some of the Herdsmen
may have escaped with gunshot wounds.

“It is our belief that some of the Herdsmen escaped into
Nasarawa State with gunshot wounds because of the fierceness of the
gunshots sounds.”

It would be recalled that only last Tuesday, suspected Herdsmen
invaded the Abagana IDP camp on the outskirts of Makurdi killing
seven people and injuring nine others.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP
Catherine Anene said she was yet to receive the report.

At least, five persons have been feared killed after herdsmen
again, attacked some villages in Gwer West Local Government area of
Benue State early hours of Friday.

However, some of the armed herdsmen were said to have escaped
with gunshot wounds after troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS)
trailed them to the Benue Nasarawa border and engaged them in a gun
duel.

It was gathered from locals that the armed herdsmen had first
invaded Ahume Village along Makurdi/Naka Road but were dislodged by
the troops who then stationed at the village to ward off possible
attack by the invaders.

A local who simply gave his name as Aver said while the troops
were patrolling Ahume community, the herdsmen went further to
Tse-Nyarei Village and started shooting in all direction killing
five people and injuring others including a pregnant woman.

Our Correspondent gathered that the five dead bodies have so far
been recovered by security agencies, while three others including a
pregnant woman were rescued alive with severe gunshot injuries even
as many were said to still be missing.

He said the dead bodies have been evacuated while the wounded
were also taken to hospital for treatment.

“Last night there was a distress call that herdsmen attacked
Ahume village along Makurdi-Naka road. As troops stationed in Kula
village were alerted, the bandits ran to another village Tse Nyarei
where they killed three people.

“Many others were injured. The soldiers followed and met the
bandits at the river bank on the border between Benue and Nasarawa
States where they exchanged fire with them. They however crossed
the river and escaped in to Nassarawa State.”

Aver said there was a fierce battle as the troops who trailed
the attackers towards the Benue Nasarawa border exchanged fire with
them killing some of their cattle adding that some of the Herdsmen
may have escaped with gunshot wounds.

“It is our belief that some of the Herdsmen escaped into
Nasarawa State with gunshot wounds because of the fierceness of the
gunshots sounds.”

It would be recalled that only last Tuesday, suspected Herdsmen
invaded the Abagana IDP camp on the outskirts of Makurdi killing
seven people and injuring nine others.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP
Catherine Anene said she was yet to receive the report.