A gang of gunmen has attacked a community in Benue State and killing two farmers and another resident causing grief and massive unrest in the area.
The victims were said to be working on their farms when the ambushed and opened gunfire on them, in an assault which claimed their lives and also injured several others who are in need of medical intervention.
The deceased persons, Asongo Nagwebe and Tarzan Agbahegh, were victims of the attacks which occurred in Anyiase community of Moon Council Ward in Kwande Local Government Area between Thursday and Friday morning as informed by the former Supervisory Councillor in the affected local government, Akerigba Lawrence, adding that “The invaders attacked farmers on their farmlands, killing two people instantly,” Lawrence said.
“Two others were badly injured and taken to the hospital, but one of them later died while being referred for advanced treatment,” Lawrence said.
He further alleged that the armed men carried out another operation the following day by blocking a major road and targeting commuters.
“The attackers also mounted a road blockade and fired at a commercial vehicle carrying passengers. The number of casualties from that incident has not been confirmed,” be concluded.
The Guild, however, reports that the latest killings came less than 24 hours after another reported attack on a rural community in Okpokwu Local Government Area, further highlighting the security challenges facing parts of the state.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of casualties from the road attack remained unclear.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Vitalis Neji, were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to his phone were not answered.
Similarly, attempts to get confirmation from the Benue State Police Command through its spokesperson, Udeme Edet, did not yield any response before press time.