Insecurity: Over 300 bandits attack Benue community kill over 30 person, loot properties
At least thirteen persons have been reportedly killed in separate attacks conducted by some yet-to-be identified gunmen suspected to be bandits in several communities of Benue State.
FUSION CHRONICLES NIGERIA NEWSPAPER gathered that the affected areas were Azege settlement, Tombo council ward, Adabo and Tse Gwebe communities in Logo and Katsina-Ala local government areas.
Residents disclosed that the attack on the affected communities, happened between Sunday morning and the early hours of Monday and were allegedly carried out by gunmen suspected to be bandits.
A community leader in the Logo Local Government Area, Joseph Anawah, who spoke to reporters stated that bandits who were over 300 invaded the village through Nasarawa State and attack Azege village and it environs on Sunday morning.
Anawah who served as a media aide to a former governor of the state, Gabriel Suswam, stated that it took the intervention of a military jet before the attackers could retreat.
According to him : “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 Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Chairman Mr Justine Shaku, while reacting to the attack stated that 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
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, when contacted by newsmen confirmed the Logo attack but has yet to speak on the Katsina-Ala incident. She said, “Logo attack confirmed, five bodies recovered.”
The Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, when contacted stated that the issue was not within his corridors and promised to send the contact of the appropriate official to reporters.
