Suspected Armed Herders Kill 7 In Benue

Suspected armed herders have killed seven persons during an invasion on communities in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State on Sunday, January 7, 2024.

Reported to have been a twin attack carried out in the council area, the gunmen were said to have initially attacked a commercial vehicle between Arufu and Chembe villages, shooting sporadically at passengers. 

It was also gathered that the attackers later stormed the Mchia community in Gaamber-Tiev in the night killing seven persons and leaving several others missing.

According to a community leader, Anawah Joseph who spoke to journalists on Monday 8 January 2024,  the first attack was on a commercial vehicle between Arufu and Chembe villages.

 

“Armed Fulani herders in collaboration with Jukun militias on Sunday shot at a commercial vehicle heading to Iorza where some passengers suffered an injury. They also invaded Mchia where they slaughtered eight people.” Joseph added. 

Commenting on the incident, Chairman of the local government, Rev Adagbe Jonathan, said that seven people were killed while several others were still missing.

“It’s true that armed herders in collaboration with Jukun militias attacked my people yesterday (Sunday) at about 9 pm”.

 “With the help of policemen, we were able to recover five corpses Sunday night while two corpses were recovered this morning (Monday morning). They also shot at a commercial vehicle where two people were injured.

 “As I am talking to you now, the two people who sustained injuries have been taken to hospital at Anyim but many people are still missing.” He said.

The Council Area Chairman who said he was on his way to report the incident to the security adviser, Joseph Har, alleged that the attackers were armed herders hired by Jukun militias.