Herders on rampage in renewed Benue attack, kill widow, three children

Two days after armed men suspected to be herdsmen, invaded Agena Community in Mbalom Council Wards, Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State, killing over 20 farmers, the herders on Tuesday launched an attack on Imande Dem settlement, located along Gbajimba Road in Uvir Council Ward of Guma LG, killing a widow and her three children.

A local, who identified himself as Orfankwagh told BusinessDay in a telephone interview that the attack, which happened around 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday at Imande Dem settlement, left the Community in mourning mood.

According him, “the suspected armed herders invaded the area while people were deep asleep invaded the house of a widow, Utsuwa Chicha, killing her and her three sons.

Orfankwagh also revealed that the Utsua’s husband, Chicha, had already been killed in an earlier attack by the same herdsmen, leaving her with three children, before the latest tragedy that wiped the entire family.

He disclosed that the remains of the victims were later evacuated through combined efforts of Security operatives and residents, while another child, who sustained bullet wounds was said to be receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

BusinessDay reports that this latest violence comes as part of recurring attacks across the State by suspected armed herders, who have continued to attack the farming Communities at the begining of cropping season, deepening anxiety among locals who have continued to flee their communities for safety.

Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) Udeme Edet failed as she was neither picking her calls nor replying to text messages sent to her phone.