The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain identified as Johnson Akaabo and six others have been reportedly killed in separate attacks by armed herdsmen in Gwer East and Makurdi local government areas of Benue State.
In a simultaneous attack, the marauders also invaded Tse Gever in Makurdi LG on the same day, killing three farmers on the spot while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
It was gathered that the marauder invaded the community at about 6pm, shooting sporadically and killing anyone in sight.
A fleeing member of the community who does not want his name in print told our correspondent that the APC chieftain and three others were murdered during an invasion by the armed herders in Mbalom and Mbasombo Council Wards of Gwer East LG.
He said the herders invaded the communities at about 4:30 pm on Tuesday and started shooting sporadically at anyone in sight, leading to the death of Akaabo and three others.
Confirming the incident, the Council chairman of Gwer East, Timothy Adi, described the attack as tragic without provocation and wondered why the community was targeted when the people had just started planting their crops.
According to him, “We visited the affected communities alongside military officers and recovered four corpses from the scene of the attacks, which were immediately taken to St. Gregory Hospital morgue.”
He also disclosed that Security personnel have already been drafted to the communities to forestall further attacks in the area.
The chairman commended Governor Hyacinth Alia and security personnel for their prompt reaction and timely support in restoring normalcy.
Adi assured that the council will continue collaborating with security agencies to restore peace and safeguard communities for farming activities.
Efforts to get the police’s reaction failed as the number of the police public relations officer, Catherine Anene, was not connected when filing this report.