At least six individuals have reportedly been killed, whereas a number of others stay unaccounted for following recent assaults by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The affected areas embody Tse-Nyaku, Biliji and different communities in Mbatian and Mbazum districts the place the assailants reportedly struck on Friday night.
A resident of Mbatian, Aondofa David, confirmed that the assaults occurred on Friday, whereas a safety supply stated a number of residents have been nonetheless missing.
A resident of Biliji, one of many communities affected by the violence, who requested anonymity, stated the demise toll could possibly be greater than the variety of our bodies recovered thus far.
According to the resident, 9 individuals have been believed to have been killed, however solely six our bodies had been recovered as of the time of submitting this report.
“The attackers are suspected armed herdsmen. They first launched attacks in some villages in Mbazum Mbaterem before moving to Mbatian communities. Nine people were killed but for now six dead bodies were recovered,” the resident stated.
Efforts to acquire an official response from the Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area, Jonathan Modi have been unsuccessful, as he didn’t reply phone calls positioned to him.
However, one among his aides disclosed that the chairman was occupied with attending to victims of the assaults.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, stated the command had but to obtain an official report on the incident from safety personnel within the affected space.
