Suspected Herdsmen Attack Benue Community, Kill Eight Persons

George Okoh

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen Tuesday night attacked Yelwata village in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State killing eight persons.

According to a source in the village, the herdsmen attacked the busy community market and began to shoot sporadically on anyone in sight.

He revealed that eight people were killed, several others were wounded, while one person was kidnapped.

“It was around 7:pm on Tuesday when the herdsmen came. They moved straight to the market where they started shooting and killing people. Some of our people escaped but eight people were killed,” said the source.

“One person was taken away and we have not heard from him since then,” he added.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the local government, Caleb Aba, Wednesday explained that the herders invaded the community on Yelwata market day.

He added that the people were still in the market when the herders opened fire and killed eight people and injured two others.

The council chairman said that the attack was unprovoked, “our people had no problems with the herders before they carried out the attack”.

“Yesterday was Yelwata market day and the people were still in the market around 6pm when the herdsmen came and started shooting sporadically. In the end, eight people were killed, two injured and one person who was abducted is yet to be released till now,” he said.

The chairman further said that the injured people were taken to a private hospital for treatment because the government hospitals are still on strike.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Catherine Anene, confirmed that six persons were killed

According to her, “Six persons were shot and almost dead at that point, but they were confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital while two person are receiving treatment as at this morning.”