No fewer than 8 persons including a traditional ruler, have been reportedly killed by suspected armed herdsmen in a midnight attack on the Tse-Ancha community in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, North-Central Nigeria.
The attack on the Tse-Ancha community which is located less than a kilometer from Abagena IDPs Camp is coming about 3 weeks after an attack on the host community of the IDPs camp in which 7 persons were killed and several others injured.
Also worthy of note is that the invaders attacked Tse-Ancha less than 24 hours after the remains of the 7 Abagena attacks victims were laid to rest.
Confirming the attack, Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Council, Anthony Dyegeh told newsmen by telephone that the attackers were armed Fulani herdsmen adding that 8 corpses including 7 males and a female were recovered from the scene of the attack.
Dyegeh who disclosed that he was just returning from the scene of the attack at the time of this report said 5 other locals were badly injured and have been taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH in Makurdi, the state capital.
“The Kindred Head was among the people that accompanied me to the burial of the 7 people that were killed at Abagena IDPs camp. We parted around 9.00 pm only for him to be killed at 5 minutes to midnight alongside others.”
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The council boss who noted that he was just returning after an on-the-spot assessment of the area said he had directed the evacuation of the corpses to the mortuary and the injured to the hospital.
Dyegeh said an ATM card bearing Audullayi Sabo with life and empty bullets were recovered from the scene of the attack.
He condemned the attacks on innocent people of Benue State and called on various security agencies to stand up to their duties of securing the live and properties of the citizens of Benue State.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to Benue State Governor on Security matters, Paul Hemba stressed the need for the people to stand up to defend themselves and their land.
The Security Adviser extended Governor Samuel Ortom’s condolences to the people and prayed for peace to return in the State.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Catherine Anene equally confirmed the attack.
