MANY DEARED KILLED IN BENUE COMMUNITIES ATTACK
Suspected bandits are said to have killed numerous people in separate attacks on the Azege settlement and other towns in the Tombo council ward, Adabo, and Tse Gwebe in the Logo and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas of Benue State.
Residents of the impacted towns report that the occurrences happened between Sunday morning and the early hours of Monday.
Joseph Anawah, a community leader in Logo LGA, informed our correspondent that on Sunday morning, a big group of bandits from Nasarawa State invaded and attacked Azege village and the surrounding area.
Anawah, a former media assistant to former Governor Senator Gabriel Suswam, claimed that the attackers had to be forced to retreat by a military jet.
Anawah stated, “There was an attack on the Azege settlement and the surrounding area of Tombo Council Ward on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at about 7 am by terrorists. They numbered over 300 well-armed men, suspected to be militia from outside Nigeria.
“Perhaps they were hired from neighbouring countries because their appearance was slightly different. The invasion occurred in the morning, and the invaders were visible to the locals.
“The security operatives on the ground were unable to repel them due to their numbers and the sophisticated weapons they were carrying. It was only when a military jet arrived that the attackers were forced to retreat.”
The hunt for missing people is still going on, and as of the time of this report, more than 20 bodies have been found.
Clement Kev, the chairman of Logo LGA, acknowledged the event and reported that 37 people were critically hurt and that 17 bodies had been retrieved.
He added, “It is true that some herdsmen came from Nasarawa State and attacked my people. They attacked the Tombo council ward, killing 17 people and injuring 37 others.
“The Governor has already mobilised more security to the area, and peace has been restored,” he said, adding, “The herdsmen are claiming ownership of the land that belongs to Tombo.”
The second attack, reportedly carried out by armed marauders, occurred in the early hours of Monday and claimed 10 lives.
The Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, Justine Shaku, said the attackers destroyed valuable property and looted household items during the raid.
“Yes, another attack by herder marauders was reported this morning, November 25, 2024, at about 2 am.
“Information suggests that many heavily armed assailants stormed Adabo village and Tse Gwebe settlement in Utange Council Ward, Shitile in Katsina-Ala LGA. According to reports, they killed more than 10 people, destroyed valuable property, looted household items, and left uninterrupted,” Shaku said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, Catherine Anene, confirmed the attack on Logo LGA but has yet to comment on the Katsina-Ala incident.
She said, “The Logo attack has been confirmed, and five bodies have been recovered.”