Armed herders storm Benue LG, kill 18, behead women, children

No fewer than 18 persons including women and children have been reportedly killed while many others sustained severe injuries in a fresh suspected armed herdsmen attack on the Iye community in Uvir Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state.

The attackers were said to have beheaded some of the victims and also burnt the remains of several others including their homes and food barns.

A native of the community who lost a brother in the attack, confirmed on condition of anonymity that the attackers stormed the village on Sunday evening at about 6pm which was a market day in the community.

He said herdsmen attacked Iye community around 6pm on Sunday. He claims that over 18 people were killed , including his brother. They also injured several others, and burnt down many houses including some of the victims.

He adds that the attack displaced them from their village, Tse-Orvihi, Uvir Council Ward of the same Guma LGA and his family members took refuge at Iye, where they now came and killed his brother yesterday.

Confirming the development, the Security Secretary of Guma LGA, Mr. Christopher Waku said the attack occurred between 6 and 7pm.

He said 18 people were killed in the attack at Iye village which is not far from the JS Tarka University in Makurdi.

The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Julius Alawari who also confirmed the attack said seven corpses had been recovered from the scene of the attack.

According to the Police Commissioner, a combined team of Operation Whirl Stroke, the Police, and the Volunteer Guards confronted and repelled them. One of the attackers was also killed.