A group of herdsmen has killed a man and his two children, male and female, during an by the attackers on a community in Benue State.
The armed men were said to have opened gunfire after arriving the community leading to the death of the victims, leaving several others with severe injuries and forcing panic-stricken villagers to flee in search for an escape.
It was gathered on Tuesday that the attack occurred last night in Abaushwa community, Ndzorov Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area, a security source mentioning that the attackers stormed the village at about 11:30 p.m, shooting at residents and leaving multiple casualties in their wake.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Guma Local Government Council, Maurice Orwough, condemned the killings, describing the attack as tragic and unacceptable.
“The loss of innocent lives is deeply painful. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families, while we pray for the speedy recovery of those receiving treatment for injuries,” the council chairman said in a statement issued through his Personal Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Ernest Tortiv, on Tuesday.
Orwough disclosed that security personnel had already been deployed to the affected community to restore calm, safeguard lives and property, and prevent any further attacks.
He also appealed to residents to remain peaceful, cooperate with security agencies, and continue providing credible intelligence that could support efforts to tackle insecurity in the area.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Orchia Aondongu, said he would verify details of the incident when contacted but had yet to provide an official update as of the time this report was filed.
The Guild reports that the latest attack adds to a series of violent incidents that have repeatedly affected Guma Local Government Area, an area that has suffered years of deadly clashes and attacks attributed to suspected armed herdsmen.