Again, armed herders kill 46 in Benue

Suspected armed herders for the second day invaded the community and murdered 46 people in Adoka district of Otukpo local government area of Benue State

Among those killed were the council chairman’s son, Bako Eje, his nephew, and his brother-in-law.

It will be recalled that Umogidi community was invaded on Tuesday by suspected herders and killed three people.

A native who identified himself as Dan told our correspondent that the armed herdsmen stormed the community Wednesday evening for the second time in two days.

Dan said, “If you remember, these people came to our community on Tuesday and killed three people. These people were buried around midday yesterday (Wednesday)

“And we were still mourning the death of these three people when they (herdsmen) returned yesterday evening and were shooting sporadically.

The chairman of Otukpo LGA, Bako Eje, who confirmed the attack on Thursday, lamented that he lost his 32-year-old son, nephew, and brother-in-law to the Wednesday attack.

According to him,  “You know that these herders killed three people on Tuesday, and they (herders) came back yesterday (Wednesday) at about 4:15 pm and killed 46 people, including my son, who was 32 years we just buried him and some other persons are still missing.

“Among the people killed was my immediate younger sister’s husband and her second son, who was almost 38 years old.

Confirming the attack and casualty figure, the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, Lt Col. Paul Hemba retd in a telephone chat with newsmen on Thursday said that 46 people were killed.

“I can confirm to you that there was an attack in Umogidi and as at this morning, the causality figure from those who were seen physically, from what I was told were 46. But the figure may be higher because some people are still reported missing.

“The local government chairman is from that community and unfortunately lost his 33-year-old son. It’s a very tragic and painful incident”, Hemba said.

He added that more policemen and soldiers had been deployed to the area to assist, adding that the situation is at the moment calm.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, a Superintendent of Police, has confirmed the attack and stated that eight corpses, including a police officer, have been recovered.

Anene said, “Attack at Umogidi community confirmed. 8 corpses were recovered, including a police officer. More police teams have been deployed to the area to forestall further breakdown of law and order