At least seven people have been killed by suspected armed herders at Channel One community, a border settlement in Ukemberagya/Tswarev Council Ward in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The incident happened on Sunday night at about 11 p.m., according to a resident who identified himself as Amos. He said the suspected herders invaded the community and shot sporadically, forcing residents to scamper for safety.
A community leader in the area, Joseph Anawah, said six people were killed, including Akor Gwakyaa, Msooter Gwakyaa, Aondoungwa Michael, Vershima Michael, Terna Michael, and Msughter Terzungwe. He added that several others sustained life-threatening injuries and have been hospitalised in Anyiin town and Ugba town.
“The Fulani attackers came in large numbers, armed with firearms, and were on motorcycles. It is alleged that the marauders are those camped at Shaor, one of the deserted villages that several intelligence reports have identified as a Fulani marauders’ camp in Logo LGA,” Anawah said.
He said residents of the affected and neighbouring communities have fled and relocated to other villages for fear of further attacks, and appealed to both state and federal governments to intensify border coordinated clearance operations.
The Chairman of Logo Local Government Area, Clement Kav, confirmed that seven people were killed and four others injured. “They killed seven people and injured four others. What they did was that they came, attacked and ran back to where they came from. They carried out the attack late Sunday night,” Kav said.
He said he had briefed the Commissioner of Police and the Special Adviser on Homeland Security on the incident. The State Command spokesperson said she had yet to receive the report and promised to get back as of the time of filing this report.
The killings come amid intensified attacks across the state. Last Thursday, gunmen invaded Olegabulu community in Agatu LGA, killing a traditional ruler, his wife, his son, and two others. On Saturday night, armed men killed three mourners and kidnapped two others returning from a burial ceremony in Ushongo LGA.
