Residents Flee As Terrorists Attack Benue Community

Many residents have deserted Mbachom community in Jato Aka Turan axis of Kwande local government area of Benue State after terrorists Thursday night attacked the area a few hours after the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, visited the state to strengthen security.

A resident of Jato Aka who pleaded anonymity said the terrorists also attacked Mbaav community with many hospitalised while many others are missing.

“The attack occurred on Thursday night. Some people were killed while others are missing. Some are in hospital receiving treatment from gunshot wounds, search is ongoing,” he said.

A man who claimed to have escaped the attack told our correspondent that residents of the affected areas slept in the bush and he saw some corpses on the ground but did not count them.

The chairman of Kwande local government area who is also the state ALGON chairman, Vitalis Terhile Neji, declined comment on the incident.

His media aide, Akade Emmanuel, confirmed the attack, saying, “We are yet to get the full details. We were told last night about the incident but we are yet to confirm and verify.”

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

In another development, a former caretaker chairman of Otukpo local government area of the state, Udeh Ijachi, was reportedly killed by unknown gunmen on Thursday night.

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