Bandits have killed a traditional ruler, Zaki Unongo Shaayange and 24 others in three separate attacks on communities in Logo, Tarka and Guma Local Government areas of Benue State.
The attack, which happened on Monday night also left many hospitalised with severe machete and gunshot injuries.
According to community leader, Chief Joseph Anawa, the armed herdsmen numbering about six blocked and took over the Anyiin-Tse Kile road in Ukemberagya Ward of Gaambetiev Logo council on Monday night at about 7:15p.m.
“They shot and killed the traditional ruler, Zaki Unongo Shaayange at Ikyaan village, matcheted many who are now in critical condition at the NKST Hospital Anyiin.
“One of the victims of the attack, Mr. Aondoakura Kile also disclosed that the Fulani terrorists made away with some Baja motorcycles of their victims,” he said.
Vanguard reported that a local source revealed that no fewer than nine persons were gunned down same Monday night at about 8p.m., by armed herdsmen who invaded Tse-Sumaka village near Umenge, Mbadwem Council Ward in Guma LGA.
The marauders were reported to have invaded the community from neighbouring Nasarawa state, shooting sporadically and chasing their victims out of their homes.
“They shot at the people as they fled and anyone they caught up with was not spared.
“Nine persons were killed and many others sustained injuries.
“As we speak women and children are fleeing their homes in their numbers in search of safe areas in neighboring communities to hide themselves,” he said.
The Guma Local Government Council Chairman, Mr. Caleb Aba, who confirmed the attack told newsmen on phone said the attack was unprovoked.
He added that “these days these herdsmen don’t have to be provoked before they attack and kill because the agenda is to chase us away from our ancestral homes and occupy our land.”
The armed herders, at about the same time, invaded Tiortyu community which is less than 18 kilometers from Makurdi town, on Makurdi-Gboko road in Tarka council, where 15 persons, including women, were either hacked or shot dead.
That attack triggered an angry protest by the youths of the area who took over the busy Makurdi-Gboko road.
They laid the corpses on the road for several hours, stopping all vehicular movements on that axis of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Catherine Anene, who also confirmed the attacks said she was at the scene of one of the attacks with the Police Commissioner.