Suspected Herders Launch Fresh Attack On Benue Community, Kill Three Farmers

From Gabriel Agbo, Makurdi 

No fewer than three farmers have been killed after suspected herders launched unprovoked and fresh deadly attack on Gilim Ashi community in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.

The deceased were identified as Mr. Ioryer Kwaghkaha, Ayila Atsar, and a yet-to-be-identified individual.

It was gathered that the victims brutally attacked and shot dead while working on their farms in Gilim Ashi village, a settlement along the Naka–Agagbe road, behind Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Naka on early hours of Friday. 

A local who confirmed the incident stated that the bodies of the deceased have been evacuated and deposited at the Naka morgue. 

According to him, the latest killing happened barely 24 hours after armed herders ambushed and killed a traveler along the Naka–Makurdi road near Kula village.

He maintained that, although troops of the Nigerian Army, earlier repelled  the attackers on Thursday but later returned early morning of Friday targeting farmers in the area. 

The local also said the renewed violence has heightened fear across communities already battling persistent insecurity.

When contacted Benue State command police public relations officer PPRO DSP Udeme Edet said she would get back to our correspondent.

"She simply said, "I will get back to you, am yet to get information on the suspected attack ".