Suspected bandits attack Benue community, kill eight

Suspected Fulani bandits again attacked the Abagana community opposite the Internally Displaced Persons camp located along Makurdi/Laafia road in Benue State.

The attack which happened on Thursday night came barely two years after the community witnessed an invasion in which seven people were murdered.

A source in the locality informed our correspondent that a family of six and two others were beheaded in the latest attack.

It was learnt that the suspected Fulani bandits invaded the Abagana community opposite the IDP camp around 9 pm, shot sporadically, and killed eight people including a man and his wife, as well as their four children.

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A source from the community said, “Last night (Thursday) at about 2100hrs suspected Fulani bandits invaded Abagana community opposite the IDP camp and killed many people.

“Eight corpses, including women and children, have been recovered and another eight people were seriously injured. They have been evacuated to the hospital for treatment.

“Some of the bodies were beheaded and the heads were taken away. A man with his wife and four children were all wiped out in the attack.”

Confirming the attack, the Security Adviser the governor, Lt.Col Paul Hemba, said that the attack was unprovoked as the villagers were already set to go to bed when they met their untimely deaths in the hands of the Fulani bandits.

Hemba who gave names of those killed as Gbashaor Acho, Gbashaor Joseph, Anshe Dekera, Ancho Kpor, Eunice Gbashaor, Sewuese Gbashaor, Terlumun Ajah, Emberga Gbashaor, and Donald Gbashaor, said that the casualty figure may likely rise as some other persons who were fatally shot and wounded may not survive the injuries in their chest.

He added that two of those killed were IDPs while the bandits stole two motorcycles belonging to the villagers.

When contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State, Wale Abass, confirmed the attack and said he was at the scene of the incident.

“I’m at the scene of the incident. The moment we leave here, the PPRO (Police Public Relations Officer) will furnish you with details”, the CP said.