Suspected Herdsmen Attack Benue Community, Kill Nine

Nine persons have been killed by suspected herdsmen, including the kindred head of Tse Ancha, Agan council ward, Makurdi Local Government Area on Saturday morning, just a few meters from the host community of Abangana IDP camp where seven people were killed about three weeks ago.

Although the police authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the killing, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Benue State Command,  Sewuese Anene, confirmed the attack via a text message.

Tse Ancha is a community located along the  Makurdi- Lafia federal highway and is less than a kilometer from Abagena Internally Displaced Person (IDPs) Camp, where suspected herdsmen attacked and killed seven persons, mostly inmates of the camp and members of the host community.

According to a resident of Tse Ancher and a journalist attached to the Benue state government house who does not want his name mentioned confirmed the attack to Channels Television.

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He said, “The attackers started their operation at Tse Ancha and almost penetrated down to my school before some Youths with local weapons like machete and arrows stopped them but they killed one person within the village at my school, in addition to the eight persons so far discovered at Tse Acha including the Kindred head Chief Uzua.”

The attack happened about 3 to 4 am on Saturday when the villagers were fast asleep.

The Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Council, Mister Anthony Dyegeh visited the scene of the incident and directed that the corpses and those injured be taken to the hospital.

While condemning the attacks on innocent people, Dyegeh called on various security agencies to stand up to their responsibility of securing the lives and properties of the citizens of the state.

Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State on Security matters, Colonel Paul Hembah who accompanied the Chairman to the scene, called the people to stop relying on Federal security alone but stand up to defend themselves and their Lands.

He extended Governor Samuel Ortom’s condolences to the people and pray for peace to return in the state.

Also found at the scene of the attack at the break of dawn, was an ATM card bearing Audullayi Sabo and empty shells of bullets.