The death toll from coordinated attacks in Benue State’s Ukum and Logo local government areas by terror herdsmen has risen to 20.
This was disclosed in a statement by Governor Hyacinth Alia on Saturday.
He said five bodies were initially found in Gbagir and taken to the mortuary. “Civilians searching for their loved ones later discovered two more corpses,” he said.
Alia also noted that a family in Gbagir was allowed to bury their relative immediately, with security operatives issuing clearance for a brief burial ceremony.
According to the governor, the police recovered an additional 12 bodies following attacks in Logo, which were also taken to a morgue.
He described the incidents as a coordinated assault by suspected herdsmen on the Sankera axis of the state.
While reassuring residents of the government’s efforts, Alia reiterated his administration’s commitment to the protection of lives and property.
He called on the public to provide timely information to security agencies to help combat insecurity.
Meanwhile, the development comes after the spokesman of the command in Benue State, Sewuese Anene, in a statement issued on Friday, said information was received that a large number of suspected militia had invaded the Sankera axis of the state, and the police moved in to engage the militia in Gbagir, where they had killed five more persons.
As of Friday, estimation brought the number of persons killed to 17 in total.
These killings have sparked wild speculations on social media, where it is alleged that suspected herdsmen invaded the area and killed about 100 persons, but the police have cautioned against unconfirmed rumours in dealing with casualty figures.
The police statement reads, “Information was received that a large number of suspected militia had invaded the Sankera axis of Benue state with the intention to attack communities around Gbagir, Ukum Local Government Area. Upon receipt of this report, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command, CP. Steve H. Yabanet FCID, psc (+) ordered tactical teams to move to the area and join forces with police officers on ground and other security agencies to forestall the attack.
“Following this order, a team of officers moved to the area and engaged them. While the attackers were being repelled in the early hours of today, they shot sporadically at unsuspecting farmers as they came across them. Five (5) persons were recovered at the Gbagir area and taken to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead.
“Unfortunately, an unsuspected simultaneous attack was carried out in Logo, where twelve (12) persons were killed before the arrival of the police, making a total of seventeen persons. However, Security agencies within the Sankera axis are still engaging the bandits as they retreat back to the forest around the Taraba axis.
“The CP warns social media users who are reporting unconfirmed reports and inciting the general public to desist from such actions that are capable of creating unnecessary tension in the state. He reiterates his commitment to fight the attackers and encourages the good people of Sankera to continue to cooperate with the police as the operation is ongoing.”
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