The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the death of five yet-to-be-identified individuals following an attack by suspected herders in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of the state.
According to The PUNCH, the attack was reported to have happened on Wednesday.
As reported by an eyewitness who identified himself as, Orduen, the herders were said to have invaded the community around 1pm, shooting community members in the process.
“They were herders who stormed our community in Yelwata at about 1pm today. They attacked several people who were working on their farm with guns and machetes.
“Immediately they wreaked havoc they fled to the bush, and some of the injured ones ran into the community to inform us.
“At the time youths went in search of our people who went to the farm, we discovered lifeless bodies of five people and six people were injured and taken to hospital for treatment,” Orduen said.
The incident was confirmed by the local government Chairman, Mike Uba, who spoke through the security adviser of the council, Waku Christopher.
According to him, five people were said to have been killed while four were said to have been injured.
“It is true, it is the same herdsmen and farmers, five farmers were attacked in there farm and killed and three or four people were injured,” he said
Also, the State Command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, said that officers had been deployed to the community.
She said, “The attack at Yelwata community is confirmed. Police officers who were deployed to the area are still in the operation. Details will be revealed as soon as the operation is over please.”
