*Suspected armed herdsmen numbering over 300 attack Benue communities killing 30 people
*They were said to have wielded sophisticated weapons which made it difficult to repel them
*20 corpses were said to have been recovered while search for missing persons was on going
*Attack took place on Sunday November 24 and Monday November 25
By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
No fewer than 30 persons have been reportedly killed in separate attacks by suspected armed herdsmen in Azege, Tombo Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area and Adabo village and Tse Gwebe settlement, Utange Council Ward, Shitile, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, all in Benue State.
According to Chief Joseph Anawa, a community leader in Logo LGA, the suspected armed herdsmen, numbering over 300, attacked Azege and Tombo settlement on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at about 07:00 am.
Anawa said the bandits were suspected to have been hired from outside the country as their appearance was different from the local Fulani in the country.
He said the security operatives on ground were unable to repel them because of their number and the sophisticated weapons they wielded.
“It was not until the arrival of a military jet before they were able to subdue them to retreat,” Anawa said.
He disclosed that about 20 corpses have been discovered while the search for more missing persons was ongoing.
The Chairman of Logo Local Government Council, Mr Clement Kev who spoke to newsmen on phone on Monday, corroborated Anawa’s account.
“It is true that some herdsmen came all the way from Nasarawa State and attacked my people.
“They attacked Tombo Council Ward and killed 17 persons and injured 37. The Governor has already mobilized more security to the area and peace has been restored.
“The herdsmen are claiming ownership of the land that the Tombo land belongs to them” Kev said.
On his part, the Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Council, Mr Justine Shaku, said the attack by the suspected armed herdsmen took place at about 20:00 hours of Monday, 25th November, 2024.
Information is that many heavily armed men stormed Adabo village and Tse Gwebe settlement in Utange Council Ward, Shitile in Katsina-Ala LGA.
He said: “From reports, they killed many people, number yet known, destroyed valuable properties and looted a lot of household items and left uninterruptedly.
“The level of destruction and scores killed would be forwarded to you in due course, please.”
When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the Logo incident but said only five bodies have been recovered.