Suspected Fulani herdsmen have allegedly killed 19 people, including children, in a fresh attack on some communities in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
The assailants were said to have stormed Tse Amgbem, Udam near Aondoana, and Agbanu Seghev/Ukuse all in Gwer West LGA area of Benue State, where they carried out the attacks on the reisdents.
A resident, who claimed to have escaped the attack, Terna Abende, said that the attackers came through Akpachi in Otukpo Local Government Area to attack Tse Amgbem.
According to Abenda, “About 5am Monday, the attackers stormed Tse Amgbem and Udam near the Aondoana community and killed several people and several others injured.
“The attackers who are suspected to be Fulani herdsmen also burnt down houses.”
Earlier on Sunday, the suspected herdsmen were said to have ambushed some motorcyclists at separate areas on Naka Nagi Agagbe and Naka/Makurdi roads, killing six people.
An indigene of Gwer West LGA who identified himself as Albert said that herdsmen had taken over seven wards of the council; Sengev, Gaagev/Tongev, Saghev/Ukusu , Tough, Ateer/ Ijaha ,Gaambe Ushin, and Mbachohon Avihijme.
Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Mrs Grace Igbabon, who confirmed the incidents, said 18 people were killed in three separate attacks in the council area between Sunday and Monday.
Igbabon said, “We had about six persons yesterday (Sunday) and 13 people today.
“I was told that the attackers were suspected Fulani herdsmen who attacked the Mbamodu community and killed 13 people and several others injured. The attackers burnt down several houses in the community.
“Other incidents happened on Sunday at the other side of Mbachon, some motorcyclists were riding on the road and they saw a man in military uniform who flagged them down.
“I was told that in the process of slowing down, another set of people who possibly had laid ambush came out from the bush and shot at them, four of them died and one later escaped.
“Also along Naka/Makurdi Road on Sunday, they (suspected herdsmen) killed two others.
Spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Catherine Anene, said she only heard about the attack on some communities near Aondoana in the local government but yet to get the details.