No fewer than 10 people have been reportedly killed in Torov District in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, North-Central Nigeria by suspected herdsmen. Residents of the area however put the figures at 30 or even more.
According to local sources a family of seven were among those killed. Residents identified them as Michael Mtindiga Adzandeh, Iorfa Michael Mtindiga Adzandeh, Akighirga Adzandeh, Tyowuese Adzandeh, Tersee Swende Adzandeh, Terngu Tortiv Adzandeh and Terkaa Shiati Adzandeh.
An eyewitness, Tersoo Iorbee said they got information that some suspected herdsmen were coming to attack the community. He said “more than one hour after that information, some gunmen with covered masks stormed Adzandeh settlement, shot at everyone in sight and when the dust was dawn 10 persons were confirmed dead, including a family of seven“
Msugh Aga, who escaped narrowly and is taking refuge in another town said “The armed herdsmen shot at people. Thereafter, they used long knives and butchered them into pieces. They also set many houses ablaze.”
Caretaker Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area, Victor Iorzaa, who confirmed the incident, said he has directed the Divisional Police Officer, DPO to deploy more men to the troubled area to prevent further killings.
Ukum Local Government Area, which shares a boundary with Wukari Local Government Area in Taraba State, has been under attacks from suspected herdsmen.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
