Suspected Herdsmen Invade Benue Communities, Kill 17 In Fresh Attacks 

Seventeen persons were reportedly killed between late Sunday and Monday morning in a fresh attack  killed  by suspected  Fulani herdsmen on Tse Angbeghe  Udam Aondoana   and Agbanu  Seghev/Ukuse in  Gwer West Local Government Area  of Benue State, leaving several others with injuries.

Our correspondent gathered that the armed men stormed the two communities at about  11:30pm of Sunday and started shooting sporadically until 4am on Monday morning, leaving blood, tears and anguish on their trail.

One of the survivors identified as Mrs Felicia Anor, told newsmen on phone that the attackers  came through Akpachi  in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state and launched attack on Tse Angbeghe at  about 5am on Monday, killing 15 persons with 26 injured, and several houses burnt.

Another victim, Tersoo Gbaabi said, the attackers had on Sunday laid ambushed along Naka  Nagi Agagbe road and in the process killed two persons who were riding on a motorcycle.

He stated about four others were injured and currently  hospitalized at the General Hospital, Naka.

A journalist, Mr. Francis Ugbede who hails from the area revealed that suspected Fulani herdsmen have taken over seven council wards of Sengev , Gaagev/Tongev ,Saghev/Ukusu , Tough Ateer/ Ijaha  ,Gaambe Ushin, Mbachohon Avihijme  in the local government and called for a step up of  security patrol in the communities

Meanwhile, the chairman of Gwer West  local council, Mrs. Grace Igbabon, confirmed the attack. According to her, herdsmen invaded Tse Amgbem close to Aondoana in Gwer West LGA in the early hours of today(Monday) killing so many people.

“As at 5pm we have recovered 13 dead bodies  and evacuated several others wounded to the hospital. Hundreds were displaced and are presently taking refugee in Aondoana close to Naka town”, she said.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state police command, DSP Catherine Anene, could not be reached at the time of filing this report as she did not pick calls put to her phone.