At least six people have reportedly been killed, while several others remain unaccounted for following fresh attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The affected areas include Tse-Nyaku, Biliji and other communities in Mbatian and Mbazum districts where the assailants reportedly struck on Friday evening.
A resident of Mbatian, Aondofa David, confirmed that the attacks occurred on Friday, while a security source said several residents were still missing.
A resident of Biliji, one of the communities affected by the violence, who requested anonymity, said the death toll could be higher than the number of bodies recovered so far.
According to the resident, nine people were believed to have been killed, but only six bodies had been recovered as of the time of filing this report.
“The attackers are suspected armed herdsmen. They first launched attacks in some villages in Mbazum Mbaterem before moving to Mbatian communities. Nine people were killed but for now six dead bodies were recovered,” the resident said.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area, Jonathan Modi were unsuccessful, as he did not answer telephone calls placed to him.
However, one of his aides disclosed that the chairman was occupied with attending to victims of the attacks.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, said the command had yet to receive an official report on the incident from security personnel in the affected area.
“I am yet to receive report of the attack you are talking about. When I get details I will get back to you,” he said.
Suspected herdsmen attack Benue communities, kill six, others missing