No fewer than 30 people were reportedly killed in separate attacks by suspected bandits across multiple communities in Benue State.
The affected areas were Azege settlement, Tombo council ward, Adabo and Tse Gwebe communities in Logo and Katsina-Ala local government areas.
The incidents, according to residents of the affected communities, happened between Sunday morning and the early hours of Monday and were allegedly carried out by suspected bandits.
Our correspondent gathered from a community leader in the Logo Local Government Area, Joseph Anawah, that bandits numbering about 300 came through Nasarawa State and unleashed attacks on Azege village and environs on Sunday morning.
The community leader, who served as a media aide to a former governor of the state, Gabriel Suswam, said it took the intervention of a military jet before the attackers could retreat.
Anawah said, “There was an attack on the Azege settlement and environs of Tombo council ward yesterday, Sunday, 24th November 2024, at about 7 am by Fulani herdsmen. They were numbering over 300, well-armed men suspected to be militia from outside Nigeria, probably hired from neighbouring countries, because their appearance was slightly different from the Fulani we have around. This invasion was carried out in the morning hours and the invaders were seen by the locals.
“The security operatives on the ground were unable to repel them because of their number and the sophisticated weapons they were carrying. It was not until the arrival of a military jet that they were subdued.
“At the time of this report, over 20 corpses were discovered while the search for more missing persons is ongoing.”
The Chairman of Logo Local Government Area, Clement Kev, confirmed the incident, adding that 17 bodies were recovered and 37 others seriously injured.
He said, “It is true that some herdsmen came from Nasarawa State and attacked my people. They attacked the Tombo council ward, killed 17 persons and injured 37.
“The governor has already mobilised more security to the area and peace has been restored. The herdsmen are claiming ownership of Tombo land.”
The second attack, which reportedly happened in the early hours of Monday, was carried out by armed marauders, leaving 10 men dead.
The Chairman of the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Justine Shaku, said the attackers destroyed valuable property and looted household items during the attack.
“Yes, another incident by herder marauders was reported to have taken place this morning, the 25th day of November 2024 at about 2:00hrs.
“Information is that many heavily armed men stormed Adabo village and Tse Gwebe settlement in Utange Council Ward, Shitile in Katsina-Ala LGA.
“From reports, they killed more than 10 people and destroyed valuable properties. They looted a lot of household items and left uninterruptedly,” Shaku said
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, in a terse statement, confirmed the Logo attack but has yet to speak on the Katsina-Ala incident.
She said, “Logo attack confirmed, five bodies recovered.”
When contacted, the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, said the issue was not within his purvey and promised to send the contact of the appropriate official to our correspondent.
He had, however, yet to send the contact of the time of filing this report.
By John Charles @ThePUNCH
