Separate attacks were carried out on two communities in Benue State by suspected armed herdsmen on Tuesday, resulting in the killing of seven people, including a commander of the state community guard.
Thenewsbearer learnt that the communities attacked by the armed herders were Tse Fela in Mbabuande and Tse Akyegh in Ikaaghev Council Ward of Gwer West Local Government Area of the state at about 3pm.
This occurred barely two days after some armed herders invaded Tse-Lgar, Tse Magu and Tse Dudu in Guma Local Government Area where 13 people were killed by them.
It was learnt that the herders who invaded Tse Fela and Tse Akyegh not only killed the seven people, they also destroyed food banks.
A native, who identified himself as Terna, told a journalist: “Members of the two communities had noticed movement of strange people around the area and raised the alarm which made some people to escape.
“Unfortunately, some people were trapped by the killers and they were killed.”
Also confirming the attacks, the district head of Ikaaghev, Chief Adi-Bata, said that the alarm raised by members of the community reduced the casualties.
He stated: “If not the alarm raised by members of the community, the number of casurties would have been very high.”
The traditional ruler called on the security agencies to have a police post in the area to improve security in the area.
Chairman of the local government, Ayande Andrew, confirmed the killing of seven people.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of Benue State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, said she was not aware of the incident.
