No fewer than 43 people have been killed in fresh attacks on communities in two Local Government Areas of Benue State.
The bloody Sunday evening attacks on communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas of Benue State mark less than a week after over 40 people, including a police officer, were killed in similar attacks on villages within Gwer West.
Traditional ruler of the area, Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse, who confirmed the incident said the attackers stormed Tse Antswam, a suburb of Naka town in Gwer West LGA, around 7pm and opened fire indiscriminately, leaving at least 18 dead and many others wounded.
He added that several villagers fled into nearby bushes or even jumped into wells to escape the onslaught.
“As of this morning, 18 bodies have been recovered. Some of the wounded may not survive because they were badly butchered. The search for more victims is ongoing.”
“The affected village lies opposite a military checkpoint along the abandoned Naka–Makurdi road, which according to him, raises further concerns over the brazenness of the attackers,” Abomtse said.
Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Ormini, expressed deep frustration, said: “I’m tired of speaking to journalists. Exactly a week ago I told you about the killing of over 40 people. Today again, we are counting the dead; 14 corpses so far in Naka alone. It keeps getting worse.”
In Apa LGA, local sources said gunmen invaded Edikwu Ankpali community around the same time as the Naka attack, killing over 25 people.
A resident, who simply identified himself as Tony, told journalists in Makurdi on telephone that, “Over 25 corpses have been counted in Edikwu Ankpali. Burial arrangements are already underway for some of the victims.”
Former government official, John Ikwulono, added that Opaha community was also attacked early Monday morning, with casualties yet to be confirmed.
“The people are trapped in Odugbo now. They can’t even flee. Eleven people have already been buried from earlier attacks in Edikwu The death toll is climbing,” he said.
The Chairman Apa local government area, Adams Ocheiga, confirmed the attacks and said he was en route to the affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the incidents but did not give specific casualty figures.
She said: “This is to confirm there was an attack yesterday at Naka and Apa. Tactical teams have been deployed and are already on ground. I’ll provide accurate figures once I get full details”.
