Gunmen attack Benue community, kill ‘nine’ residents

Gunmen have reportedly attacked and killed seven people in a community in Benue state.

According to Channels Television, the attack occurred in the Ugboju community in the Agatu LGA of Benue on Wednesday night.

John Ikwulono, a former chairman of Agatu LGA, was quoted as saying nine corpses were recovered after the attack.

Ikwulono said the attackers were suspected to be herders.

“Suspected armed Herdsmen came to Ogboju community in Agatu local government yesterday night to attack our people again,” he was quoted as saying.

“This attack claimed nine lives as at the last count of the recovered corpses.”

Catherine Anene, spokesperson of the police command, has not yet responded to an inquiry over the development.

Over the years, the north-central state has seen conflict between herders and farmers that has led to loss of lives and destruction of property.

In 2016, there was an attack on Agatu that was likened to a “massacre”. The event led to protests and was a huge debate at the time.