Four people were reportedly killed in separate attacks by suspected herders on two communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Several houses were also said to have been torched by the marauding herders.
Recall that nine people were killed last week in separate attacks in the same Guma LGA by suspected herders. The state governor, Samuel Ortom, hails from Guma LGA.
In the latest attacks that occurred on Friday and early hours of Saturday, locals said on the phone that the suspected herders invaded several communities and killed four people.
Three people were reportedly killed at Yogbo community, Friday and one other killed at Ukohol community early hours of Saturday.
A local who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of attack, said, “Two women were killed behind Yogbo primary school and another one also within the community yesterday (Friday). Incidentally, the chairman of the local government is from the Yogbo community. Today (Saturday) the attackers killed one person at Ukohol. They also burnt many houses in several villages that were attacked in the area.’’
It was gathered that residents of the affected communities fled for fear of further attacks.
Confirming the attacks, Chairman of the local government, Mike Ubah, said four people were killed in the attacks.
The chairman noted in a statemen on Saturday, “Four people were killed. Three of them at Yogbo while one was killed at Ukohor within the same period.’’
Efforts to get the state police spokesperson, Catherine Anene, to comment on the incident were not successful as calls to her mobile were not answered.
