Tragedy As Gunmen Kill Five Persons In Benue Communities

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have killed five persons in Ayilamo and Mahanga communities in Tombo ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Naija News gathered that the armed herdsmen launched the attacks on the farming communities around 10.20 pm on Tuesday after people had settled in their houses.

According to The Nation, many other residents sustained various degrees of injuries and were referred to Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, from Ayilamo Health Centre in Tombo.

An eyewitness, Tersoo Apera, told the newspaper that the killer herdsmen launched attacks on Mobile Barracks located on Anyiin- Ayilamo road in Mahanga settlement and killed two persons in a thatched house.

They reportedly thereafter moved to Ayilamo, Headquarters of Tombo ward and shot three persons to death,

On Wednesday morning, Ayilamo Comprehensive Health Centre, where the deceased and the wounded were brought, was overcrowded with sympathisers who besieged the clinic to identify their loved ones.

The monarch of the area, Chief Enoch Ikyumen, who visited the Health Centre for first-hand information, appealed to the State and Federal Governments to order security agencies to protect his subjects.

Ikyumen decried the sustained attacks and killing of his people, revealing that the deceased have been moved out of Ayilamo Health Centre for burial.

Speaking on the sad incident, Joe Har, the Security Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia, confirmed the attack on the communities and killings of the residents to reporters.

He identified those killed as: Ayev Jôgunô(Mbavihi—Mbazar); Faiga Mwuese Apefan (Mbazar); Msendoo Tertese Vaachia(Mbagum); James Mhen Nyerga Iorliam(Tse-Ihyôôn—Iwendyer) and Orgbee Mnguerorga(Tse-Nyajo—Mbaiwem).