By Our Reporter
Suspected armed herders have killed four people and injured several others in a fresh attack on Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community around midnight on Monday, breaking into homes and killing residents as they slept.
A resident, who identified himself simply as Atoundo, said the assault was unprovoked.
“They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses,” he said.
According to him, three people were initially killed, while several others sustained injuries. One of the injured later died at the General Hospital in Gbajimba, raising the death toll to four.
A former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board, Dr. Frank Kyungun, who is from the community, also described the attack as unprovoked.
“They came at about midnight and launched a heavy assault on the community. They killed four people and left several others injured. Those wounded have been taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba,” he said, adding that community leaders had urged residents to remain calm while security agencies investigate the incident.
The Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Morris Orwough, condemned the killings in a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Ernest Tortiv.
Orwough said security personnel had been deployed to Abaushwa to restore peace, safeguard lives and property, and prevent further attacks. He appealed to residents to remain calm and continue providing credible information to security agencies.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondona, confirmed the incident, saying four people were killed by suspected bandits.
He added that investigations were ongoing and that efforts had been intensified to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice.