Four people lose their lives, 10 others hurt in new wave of violence by Benue herders

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Armed herdsman

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By Peter Duru, Makurdi

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Suspected armed herders have reportedly killed four persons and injured 10 others in renewed attacks on communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

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The attacks, which lasted two days, targeted farmers working on their farmlands in Anyiase, Moon Council Ward, and later passengers attempting to flee the affected communities.

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A community elder and survivor, Terzungwe Ajir, told journalists that the first attack occurred at about 3:20 p.m. on Thursday when the assailants invaded farmlands in Anyiase and opened fire on farmers.

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He said two farmers, identified as Asongo Nagwebe and Tarzan Agbahegh, were killed in the attack, while 10 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

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According to Ajir, the injured victims were taken to a hospital in Jato-Aka for treatment, with some said to be in critical condition.

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He disclosed that one of the injured victims later died while being referred from Jato-Aka to Makurdi for advanced medical care, bringing the death toll from Thursday’s attack to three.

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The violence reportedly continued on Friday morning when the suspected attackers blocked the road at Ikyogen Junction and opened fire on a commercial bus conveying residents fleeing the troubled communities.

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One passenger was reportedly killed on the spot, while other occupants of the vehicle escaped into nearby bushes.

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Describing the situation, Ajir said the attacks had thrown the communities into panic, forcing many residents to flee their homes.

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“It has been a horrifying two days for our people, who have not known peace in a long time,” he said.

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Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Vitalis Neji, were unsuccessful as he could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

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Similarly, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, did not respond to calls seeking confirmation of the attacks or details of the police response before press time.

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