Tension in Benue As Bandits Attack Communities, Kill 7, Scores Missing

• Communities in Benue state woke up to a fresh attack by gunmen on Sunday, January 7
• According to community leaders, the attack involved armed Fulani herders who are working closely with Jukun militias
• The assailants reportedly targeted the communities in a nighttime raid, resulting in the death of seven persons and the disappearance of several individuals

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herders have launched a renewed attack in communities in Benue state.

They attacked villagers in the Logo local government area of Benue state and killed no fewer than seven individuals.

How the gunmen operated in Benue communities

As reported by The Punch, the attackers targeted a commercial vehicle, which was attacked between Arufu and Chembe villages on Sunday, January 7, and shot at passengers.

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The attackers were later reported to have invaded the Mchia community in the night and killed seven persons, leaving several others missing, The Nigerian Tribune reported.

Reacting, a community leader, Anawah Joseph, disclosed to The Punch via telephone on Monday, January 8, that the attackers laid ambush on the road between Arufu and Chembe villages.

He added thus:

“They also invaded Mchia where they slaughtered eight people.”

Meanwhile, the chairman of the local government, Rev Adagbe Jonathan, also confirmed the attack in the communities. He noted that seven persons were killed while several others were still missing.

Further confirming the development, the council chairman, who said he was on his way to report the incident to the security adviser, Joseph Har, added that the attackers were armed herders hired by Jukun militias.

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As of the time of filing this report, the Benue state police command's public relations officer, Catherine Anene, is yet to react to the development.

Bandits strike in Plateau

This is coming a few days after the harrowing Christmas Eve attacks on communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi communities in Mangu LGA of Plateau state.

In the horrifying attacks, over 100 individuals reportedly lost their lives.

The Senate later summoned all service chiefs to address questions about the brutal Christmas Eve killings in Plateau, as the death toll reached 195.

Shehu Sani reacts as bandits return to Kaduna-Abuja highway

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that bandits struck on Sunday, January 7, causing fear among travellers on the Abuja–Kaduna highway.

The armed men reportedly attacked and abducted over 30 people, witnesses and community leaders disclosed.

Reacting, a former Kaduna lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, confirmed the attack on his X page (formerly Twitter) on Monday, January 8 and noted that two of his friends, representing both ruling and opposition parties, narrowly escaped being kidnapped by the bandits.

Source: Legit.ng