Gunmen kill 6 in Benue community
Suspected gunmen have killed six persons in Uzer village, Tombo ward, Gaambetiev local government area of Benue State.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday night around 8pm when residents gathered in their compounds after supper.
Uzer village, situated on the Ayilamo-Tse Abi-Tse Ikyo-Tyulen trunk federal highway, is merely a four-minute drive from Ayilamo town, which has faced sustained gunmen attacks for over 20 years.
Eyewitness Terlumun Akombo, who narrowly escaped from the attackers, told journalists that as villagers were settling down in front of their compounds, they heard loud gunshots.
Akombo reported that in the ensuing melee, some gunmen, under the cover of darkness, shot and killed several villagers.
Six dead bodies were found, and a woman and her child, who sustained serious injuries, later succumbed to their wounds at PHC Ayilamo.
Another eyewitness, James Kumaga, stated that security personnel were alerted from Ayilamo, but the gunmen escaped before they arrived.
Benue State Governor, Father Hyacinth Alia
Tombo ward, a farming community, has been plagued by insecurity for over 20 years, primarily due to suspected herdsmen attacks, which have displaced residents from their ancestral homes.
The entire Tombo ward, comprising Mbakorya, Mbaya, Mbazaar, and Iwendyer kindred, has been deserted as most residents live in fear of unknown gunmen.
Chief Tyodue Aboh, a community leader, appealed to the federal and state governments to provide security for farmers to return to their farmlands.
The Logo Divisional Police Officer confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation had commenced.
The community was set to provide a mass burial for the victims at the time of going to press.