At least 43 people have been killed in fresh attacks on communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas of Benue State.
The latest attacks, which occurred Sunday evening, marks another bloody episode just one week after over 40 people, including a police officer, were killed in similar attacks on villages within Gwer West.
Locals told newsmen in Makurdi that the attackers stormed Tse Antswam, a suburb of Naka town in Gwer West LGA, around 7 pm and opened fire indiscriminately, leaving at least 18 dead and many others wounded.
Survivors said several villagers fled into nearby bushes or even jumped into wells to escape the onslaught.
The traditional ruler of the area, Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse, confirmed the death toll and described the style of the attack as guerrilla-like.
He said, “As of this morning, 18 bodies have been recovered. Some of the wounded may not survive because they were badly butchered. The search for more victims is ongoing.”
Abomtse noted that the affected village lies opposite a military checkpoint along the abandoned Naka–Makurdi road, which according to him, raises further concerns over the brazenness of the attackers.
In Apa LGA, the attacks were equally devastating as local sources said gunmen invaded the Edikwu Ankpali community around the same time as the Naka attack, killing over 25 people.
A resident, who simply identified himself as Tony, told journalists in Makurdi on the telephone that, “Over 25 corpses have been counted in Edikwu Ankpali. Burial arrangements are already underway for some of the victims.”
