Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have reportedly killed 10 people, injured others, as they attacked communities in Apa, Kwande, and Guma Local Government Areas of Benue State.
The National Chairman of Apa Development Association, Mr Eche Akpoko, confirmed the incident, while bemoaning the incessant attack by the hoodlums.
It was learnt that the herders, who have been moving through various Benue communities with their cattle during the dry season, had invaded several communities including Ubele, Ochumekwu, Adija, Kano and Ijaha in Apa Local Goverment Area.
Speaking further on the invasion, Akpoko explained that a total of five people were killed in Ijaha-Ibele, three in Ochumekwu, one in Adija, and another in Kano community, all within Apa LGA.
He disclosed that the violence equally extended to Yelewata in Guma LGA, where a farmer named Mr. Oryiman Ifa was attacked and left injured in his cassava farm.
Oryiman was said to have been rescued by neighbors and is currently receiving treatment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.
Reports also revealed that the armed herders invaded Moon on River Mkomun near the Cameroon boundary, where villagers were trapped and threatened.
Some villagers were said to have managed to escape after paying N5,000 each to those who assisted them.
Akpoko said, “I can confirm to you that there were serial of attacks on the following communities: Ijaha-Ibele, where five people were killed; Ochumekwu recorded three casualties; in Adija, one person was killed, same as Kano community, where one person was also killed.
“These were all in Apa LGA.
“The attack was reported to have spread to Yelewata in Guma LGA, where a middle aged farmer, Mr. Oryiman Ifa, was hacked Sunday morning in his cassava farm by herders, who invaded his farm with their cattle.
“According to a family member, he was left in his pool of blood but was lucky to have been rescued by neighbours, who saw him in the bush and rushed him to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, Makurdi, where he is receiving treatment.”
However, the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, when contacted, noted that she had not received reports regarding the attacks.
