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Thirteen People Killed As Gunmen Attacks Benue Community

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Imo Monarch Loses N85 Million As Gunmen Attack Palace

Gunmen on Monday attacked Edikwu community in the Apa Local Government Area of Benue State and killed no fewer than thirteen people.

According to locals, the incident happened between 4 am and 5 am on Monday.

A local, who simply identified himself as Elvis, said the attack might not be unconnected to a chieftaincy title.

Elvis said, “There has been a lingering crisis in the community for sometimes now. One of the royal families had disagreed with the choice of the kingmakers of the community who elected the late Chief Imoni Otokpa as Alegwu of Edikwu before his demise in 2018.”

It was also reported that one of the children of the late king is on the throne in an acting capacity, a development not pleasing to the other royal families.

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke were said to have been drafted to the area to forestall further attack.

The spokesperson of the state police command, Catherine Anene, while confirming the incident said, “Edikwu district, Ukpogbo in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State was experiencing incessant crises over chieftaincy affairs until 25/05/2020 when the Benue State Government convened a peace meeting that was headed by the Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu to put an end to the rancour”

“On 10/8/2020 at about 0400hrs when the information was received that about twenty armed men invaded the community and shot sporadically at members of the community.”

“A team of police officers were deployed to the scene where thirteen (13) corpses were recovered.”

Anene said an investigation was still ongoing to ascertain the actual cause of the attack and to bring the perpetrators to book.