JUST-IN: Again, Gunmen Attack Benue IDPs Camp, Kill 40

Unknown gunmen have attacked the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp located at LGED Primary School in Ngbian, Nyiev Ward of Guma local government area of Benue State on Friday night, killing over 40 persons on the spot.

The attack is coming barely two days after the gruesome murder of over 70 persons at Umogidi, in Otukpo, Apa and Agatu local government areas of the State.

Our correspondent gathered from one of the youths in the area, who simply identified himself as Tyoyuha in a telephone conversation, that the heavily armed attackers in their numbers invaded the area when members of the community were sleeping, killing pregnant women, children and the aged numbering about 44.

He said, “As I am talking to you now, uncountable number of persons who sustained varying degrees of injuries in the attack are being taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.”

According to him, “it seems the marauding herdsmen are on rampage because within a week they attacked worshippers in Logo LG, killed people there and rendered some homeless, the attack happened in Apa, Agatu and Otukpo where over 70 persons were reportedly killed, while scores sustained varying degrees of injuries.”

Meanwhile, confirming the latest attack in a telephone conversation with our Correspondent on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the State Police Command, Catherine Anene, said: “Yes, there was attack in Guma, and we are preparing to go there now.”

When asked about the casualties, she said: “I am yet to get the actual figure of those killed in the attack but we are going there now, details of the attack will be made available to you later.”

Also, confirming the attack, the Guma local government council chairman, Mike Aba, who spoke through the security officer of the local government, Christopher Waku, described the attack as a genocide.

Waku, who said he was speaking from the scene of the incident, said that 24 corpses were picked from the classrooms where the IDPs were taking refuge while 10 corpses were picked on the road indicating that the attackers were shooting sporadically at anyone in sight.

He added that the incident took place around 10pm on Friday night when the IDPs were already asleep.