Gunmen have struck again in Benue State, leaving four people dead, including “a former ward chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), James Akase, and three other persons,” in separate attacks on on Monday.
The killings happened in Gwer West and Guma Local Government Areas, both of which have seen a series of deadly raids in recent months.
This fresh wave left more residents injured and forced many to flee.
Eyewitnesses say Akase, who hailed from Tse-Defam, Mba’akov Vengav in Avihijime Council Ward of Gwer West, was trying to retrieve food for his family from his abandoned home when he was killed. Like many others, he had earlier fled due to similar attacks.
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In Guma, “three others were killed” in what residents described as coordinated assaults on their villages.
At Tse Ikpe Ago, along the Yogbo-Gyungu Aze road in Mbayer/Yandev Council Ward, gunmen reportedly shot dead Bartholomew Ikornya. Over in Tse Kologa, Mbagune, Nyiev Council Ward, “two other victims, Gabriel Korlaga and one Kunde, were also killed.”
Victor Ormin, Chairman of Gwer West, confirmed the killings. He described the situation as deeply troubling and urged security forces to tighten patrols across vulnerable areas.