Benue: Deadly Attacks Hit Communities Hours After Army Chief Visit

Suspected terrorists have launched deadly attacks on Mbachom community in Jato Aka Turan axis of Kwande local government area of Benue state as residents deserted the area few hours after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, visited the state to strengthen security.

A resident of Jato Aka who pleaded anonymity reported that the assailants also attacked Mbaav community with many hospitalised as others missing, “The attack occurred Thursday night. Some people were killed while others missing. Some are in the hospital receiving treatment from gun wounds. Search is ongoing”

A victim who claimed to have escaped told our correspondent that residents of the affected areas slept in the bush as he saw some dead bodies on the ground but did not count.

The eyewitness account further stated that the incident happened Thursday evening when terrorists invaded the two communities with sophisticated weapons shooting anyone at sight.

When contacted, the chairman of Kwande Local Government area who is also Benue state ALGON chairman, Vitalis Terhile Neji, angrily told our correspondent that, “I will not comment on the incident. I want to see you face to face”

However, media aide to Kwande local government chairman, Akade Emmanuel, confirmed the attack with LEADERSHIP but said, “We are yet to get the full details. We were told last night about the incident but we are yet to confirm and verify. I will get back to you later in the day when we might have gotten the true picture of what happened.”

Reacting to the attack on Kwande communities, Executive Secretary Nigeria Shippers Council, and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Pius Akutah Gbongbon, urged Benue State government to double it’s efforts to resolve insecurity in the area.

Taking to his verified facebook page on Friday, Akutah said, “I extend my deepest sympathies to the people of Turan in Kwande Local Government following the heinous attacks and killings of innocent civilians. It is disheartening that these atrocities have persisted for an extended period with seemingly inadequate efforts from the state’s chief security officer to bring them to an end. I urge the Benue State Government to double its efforts to resolve these criminal acts expeditiously.”

Meanwhile, Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme, did not respond or return calls put through her phone over the latest attack in Kwande and Otukpo LGAs.

Last month, terrorists invaded Abande market in Kwande local government area as Member House of Representatives representing Kwande/Ushongu federal constituency, Terseer Ugbor, had said 17 dead bodies were recovered.

The fresh attack in Kwande and Otukpo local government areas occurred few hours after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu visited the state and Governor Hyacinth Alia to assess the security situation and work on improving the security across the state.

During the visit, the Shaibu said additional battalion was deployed to Kwande to curtain the security challenges in the area as the Army had planned to provide helicopters for Operation Whirl Stroke.

In another development, a former caretaker chairman of Otukpo Local Government area of Benue State, Udeh Ijachi, reportedly killed by unknown gunmen Thursday night.

A security source in the area said Ijachi was ambushed and shot by the gunmen.