Suspected herdsmen invaded Yelwata Community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, killing no fewer than eight persons, while many others were injured.
One person was also reportedly abducted during the attack by the herdsmen which was said to have occurred at the community market.
The suspects, according to an indigene of the community who craved anonymity, stormed the community at about 6pm, moving to the market and firing shots at people.
This was said to have led to the death of the eight victims and gunshot wounds of several others.
The indigenes said: “In the ensuing confusion, one of us was abducted and we have yet to hearfrom him or the herdsmen since then.”
When contacted, the local government chairman, Caleb Aba, confirmed the incident, saying that people were still transacting business on Yelwata market day when the herdsmen fired shots sporadically, killed the eight victims and injured two others.
Aba decried the attack which he said was unprovoked, as no one had any issue with the herdsmen before the attack was carried out.
The chairman stated further that the injured people were taken to a private hospital for treatment because of the ongoing strike by staff of government hospitals.
In response to enquiries, the Police Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, DSP Catherine Anene confirmed the incident, but said that six persons, not eight, were killed.
According to the PPRO, “six persons were shot at the scene of the incident, but were confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital, while two persons are receiving treatment as at this morning.”
