Two soldiers and fifteen villagers have been reportedly killed in an attack by armed invaders on three communities of Apa Local Government Area in Benue State.
Locals said that the attacks happened simultaneously at about 6 pm on Tuesday in Opaha, Odogbo and Edikwu communities in Apa LGA.
A local identified as Kole, said 17 bodies, including two soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke, (OPWS), were recovered from nearby bushes early hours of today, (Wednesday) after security operatives combed the area.
He said that one of the deceased soldiers was the commander of the unit which confronted the armed invaders, in their bid to repel the attackers from the communities while under siege.
The Chairman of the Apa Development Association, Eche Akpoko, confirmed that there was an attack in the area on Tuesday night.
Akpoko said, at the time of his contact with the community, 10 dead bodies, including two soldiers were already recovered, but that he was yet to get an update, as of 10:30 am.
The Commissioner of Finance, David Olofu, who hails from Omaha, one of the villages attacked, confirmed that the bodies of fifteen villagers and two soldiers were recovered this morning.
The Nigeria Police Force, Benue State Command confirmed the attack by armed men suspected to be herdsmen on the Opaha Community in Edikwu Council Ward of Apa Local Government Area in Benue State.
It, however, said that
an army officer and more than 10 people were killed, with several persons reported missing, as the whole village was said to have been sacked.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine
Anene said the attack took place on Tuesday evening, while details of the attack were been awaited.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
