Suspected Fulani bandits struck on Thursday, January 19, 2023, killing a family of six comprising husband, wife and four children, as well as others in an attack on Abagana community opposite the Internally Displaced Persons camp located along Makurdi/Laafia road, Benue State.
This came barely two years after suspected herders invaded Abagana IDP camp, killing seven people.
After the killing, the fulani bandits reportedly cut off their victims’ heads and went away with them.
A local who spoke on the attack disclosed that the invaders stormed the community at about 9pm when people were retiring to bed and turned the sleepy community into a butcher’s slab.
According to the local, “Last night (Thursday), Fulani bandits invaded Abagana community opposite the IDP camp and killed many people.
“Eight corpses, including women and children, have been recovered and another eight people were seriously injured. They have been taken to hospital for treatment.
“Some of the murdered persons were beheaded and the heads taken away. A man with his wife and four children were all wiped out in the attack,” the local said.
The Special Adviser on Security to the governor, Lt. Col Paul Hemba (retd), who confirmed the attack, described it as “unprovoked.”
He said that the villagers were already set to go to bed when they met their untimely death in the hands of the Fulani bandits.
Hemba gave names of those killed as Gbashaor Acho, Gbashaor Joseph, Anshe Dekera, Ancho Kpor, Eunice Gbashaor, Sewuese Gbashaor, Terlumun Ajoh, Emberga Gbashaor and Donald Gbashaor.
He stated that the casualty figure might likely increase as some who were fatally shot and wounded might not survive the injuries in their chests.
Hemba said that two of those killed were IDPs while the bandits stole two motorcycles belonging to the villagers.
When contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass confirmed the attack and said he was at the scene of the incident.
“I’m at the scene of the incident. The moment we leave here, the PPRO will furnish you with details,” the CP said.
