By Ado Oyeyemi
No fewer than four people have been killed and several others injured after suspected armed herders attacked Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The community, which is the hometown of former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ortom, came under attack late Monday night when the assailants reportedly stormed the area while residents were asleep.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers forced their way into homes and attacked occupants without warning.
According to the source, three people were killed during the assault, while several others sustained injuries.
One of the injured victims later died at the General Hospital in Gbajimba, raising the death toll to four.
The resident added that several members of the community were still missing as search efforts continued.
Reacting to the incident, a former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board, Dr Frank Kyungun, described the attack as unprovoked and condemned the killing of innocent residents.
Kyungun, who visited the affected community alongside former Governor Ortom and other prominent indigenes, said the delegation sympathised with victims’ families and appealed to residents to remain calm while security agencies carried out investigations.
He noted that the community had made deliberate efforts over the years to avoid conflict, including shunning the sale and consumption of beef and exercising restraint even when farmlands were allegedly destroyed by grazing cattle.
Also reacting, the Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Morris Orwough, condemned the attack and described the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
In a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Ernest Tortiv, the council chairman extended his condolences to the bereaved families and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
He disclosed that security personnel had been deployed to the community to restore normalcy, safeguard lives and property, and prevent further attacks.
Orwough also urged residents to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible intelligence that could aid ongoing security operations.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondona, said four persons were killed during the attack.
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He added that an investigation had commenced, assuring that efforts were underway to track down those responsible and bring them to justice.
