Gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen militia have, again, attacked a community, Wandor, Mbakyor in Mbalom, Gwer-East Local Government Area, (LGA), of Benue state killing over 16 persons including a retired soldier and burnt houses numbering over 30.
Locals from the community told newsmen in Makurdi on Friday that the attack which came to them as a surprise took place on Thursday night beginning from 7pm and lasted for about three hours.
A source who didn’t want to be named for fear of victimization, said, “So far we have recovered seven corpses and there are about 8 dead bodies in the bushes that we are yet to recover. They came through Mbasombo into our village.
He explained that “There is a Fulani settlement close to the boundary between Ihyravye and Ayar and the Alhaji who has caused this, we earlier arrested three of his boys and handed over to the Police at Aliade and documented, but the boys were later released. It is this that Alhaji that is operating in this axis.
“In fact, they also killed the officer that was following up this case, rtd WO2, a military officer, who is the community security adviser.
“They took us by surprise. They came numbering over 40, some had guns and others cutlasses.
“The operation lasted for over three hours. The incident started around 7pm in the night. As I’m talking to you now, over 30 houses are burnt.
One of the victims was burnt in his house.”
As at the time of filing this report on n Friday morning, the source said “The young men are worried that they are with the corpses now in the village without security men to give them courage, cover and maybe assistance to carry the corpses to the mortuary.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the attacks and said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina has left for on the spot assessment of the area and would come back with a detailed.
The Caretaker Chairman, Gwer East, Mrs Comfort Agbo who also confirmed the attacks said “At the moment, there is relative peace in Wandor community now. 16 bodies have so far being recovered. Two people were injured and are receiving treatment.
“Those who attacked and killed my people are suspected armed herdsmen.
“The security operatives are currently moving the bodies to the mortuary,” she said.