14 feared killed as gunmen attack Benue community

Not less than 14 residents are believed to have been killed by gunmen in Mchia community, Logo LGA of Benue state.

Sewuese Anene, the state’s police spokesperson, confirmed the development to TheCable on Thursday.

“There was an attack in the community on Wednesday night. Our team is already on the ground to assess the situation but they have not sent in a report yet,” she said.

In an interview with journalists, Paul Hamba, special adviser to the governor on security matters, alleged that the attack was carried out by “fully armed herdsmen” who invaded the community around 9pm.

The development coincides with an uptick in attacks on localities in the state and other regions of the nation in recent months.

In March, scores of persons were killed in Guma, Kwande and Gwer west LGAs of the state when gunmen invaded communities in the areas.

A similar attack occurred in April when at least 23 residents were reportedly killed by gunmen in Mbadwem and Tiortyu communities of the state.

Reacting to the incident, Samuel Ortom, Benue governor, asked residents to defend themselves against gunmen, saying it was a matter of “defence or extinction”.

Earlier in June, gunmen invaded Igama community in Okpokwu LGA of Benue, killing several residents and destroying buildings.

The violent attacks in the state have often been attributed to the conflict between herders and farmers.

To curb the attacks and clashes, Ortom, on May 22, 2017, signed the Benue anti-open grazing bill.

However, conflicts between herders and farmers as well as killings by other armed groups have continued unabated.