HENRY IYORKASE, MAKURDI

The killing spree in Benue State has continued unabated as suspected armed herders on Sunday invaded two communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas of Benue State killing no fewer than 43 people.

Sunday’s attack has brought the total number of people killed in the two local government areas to 84 in one week.

The recent attack came barely one week after some communities in Gwer West LGA were attacked, leading to the killing of 41 people, including a mobile police officer.

In the Sunday attacks, the suspected armed herders were said to have stormed Tse Antswam, a suburb of Naka town around 7pm and shot indiscriminately, leading to loss of lives.

A local source in Apa LGA, who simply identified himself as Tony, said that the suspected armed herders invaded Edikwu Ankpali community around the same time they attacked Gwer West community.

Speaking to our correspondent on the phone on Monday, Tony said, “over 25 persons at Edikwu Ankpali, in Apa LGA were killed yesterday (Sunday) and the corpses will soon be buried.”

Confirming the attack in Gwer West, the traditional ruler of the community, Ter Nagi, Daniel Abomtse, said that the attackers came in a guerrilla-style and attacked Tse Antswam.

“As I am talking to you now, (Monday) morning, 18 corpses have been recovered and many people sustained varied degree of injuries.

“In fact, the way some people were butchered, I doubt if they will survive. Search is still ongoing because many ran into the bush with gunshot wounds and some also entered wells to escape the herdsmen,” the monarch said.

The traditional ruler regretted that the military failed to defend the community, stressing that the village attacked was located opposite a military checkpoint along Naka-Makurdi Road.

Also confirming the attack, the Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Ormini, who expressed deep sadness said, “It is exactly a week today that I spoke with you about the killing of over 40 people, including a MOPOL officer at Aondona and other communities by herdsmen.

“Instead of abating, it’s getting worse, the same people attacked, this time, it’s Naka town. As of now, over 14 corpses have been recovered.”

Meanwhile, the chairman of Apa LGA, Adams Ocheiga who also confirmed the attack, said he was just heading to the community for an on-the-spot assessment and promised to get back when he returns.

When contacted, the state Police Command spokesperson, DSP. Udeme Edet, who confirmed the attack on the two LGAs, did not give a casualty figure but promised to get back to our reporter.