Benue killings continue: 7 IDPs murdered in church while asleep

At least seven (7) Internally Displaced persons who were taken refuge in a church at Mbamondo in Gaambe-Tiev in the troubled Logo local government area of Benue State were again killed in there sleeping.

Logo, Guma, Gwer East, Gwer West, Okpokwu, Kwande and Makurdi local government areas have been under severe attacks by herdsmen militia since the new year day.

The herdsmen had intensified their attacks on parts of the state in the last two weeks.

Yesterday killings come on the heels of the killing of two(2) priests and 17 worshippers during a burial ceremony in Mbalom, Gwer local government as well as the murder of about  35 persons in Guma, Governor Samuel Ortom home country on Wednesday.

The killing in Logo early hour of Thursday according to a former Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Joseph Anawah, happened around 12:22 am while the people were asleep.

He said the people who were already displaced were taken refuge in African Church and LGEA primary School, Mondo.

“By the time they left, many houses were burnt down while scores sustained gunshot and machete wounds.’

“The attackers came to an unofficial camp located in the African Church, lMondo where the victims that were initially displaced from their homes, were taken refuge and murder them asleep.’

“Even though seven corpses have been recovered so far, we are yet to ascertain the total number of casualties.

“The Marauders after they killed the people and sacked the entire village, they proceeded to Zaki Biam/ Wukari road, mounted roadblocks and began to collect motorcycles and other valuables from travellers.

” As I speak with you, they are still there but we are yet to see or hear that security personnel have gone there”, Anawah said.

Confirming the incident, Chairman of the local government area Mr Richard Nyajo said seven persons were killed.

All efforts to get confirmation from the state commissioner of police, Fatai Owoseni were not successful as all calls made to him were not picked nor returned as at the time of filing this report.