….Communities Recover More Corpses
…Police Confirm Attacks, Promise Deployment of Tactical Team
The death toll from coordinated attacks by suspected herdsmen on Gwer -West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State, has risen to 58 as at Monday.
The residents of Tse-Antswam in Naka town, the headquarters of Gwer -West LGA and Edikwu Ankpali in Apa local government area of the state came under severe attack by marauding herdsmen, leaving many people dead, as others fled for their dear lives, while some sustained various degrees of injuries.
In the latest figure released by the executive chairman of Gwer- West LGC, Mr. Victor Ormin as corroborated by the Chairman of the local government traditional council, Chief Daniel Abomtse, 21 corpses had been recovered so far from the Sunday night attacks, while search was ongoing for missing persons.
Chief Abomtse who is the Ter Nagi, said the attackers came in a guerrilla style and attacked Tse Antswam.
According to him, “As am talking to you now, (Monday) morning, 21 corpses have been recovered and many people sustained varied degree of injuries.
“In fact, the way some people were butchered, I doubt if they will survive; search is still on because many ran into the bushes with gunshot wounds and some also entered the well to escape the herdsmen,” the monarch said.
Chief Abomtse revealed that the community attacked was directly opposite the military check point along Naka/ Makurdi road.
At Edikwu Ankpali in Apa Local Government Area, the causality figures as at Monday afternoon, hit 37.
The Chairman of Apa Local Government Area, Adam Ogwola, who confirmed the development, said that the figures of dead victims might be more than that as search operations was ongoing and more dead bodies were being recovered.
His words,”I was not at the local government area when the attack took place yesterday but from the information I got, the attack is devastating. I am on my way to Apa local government and to visit the affected areas.
“I will keep you updated as we continue with the search operation. Those injured are already at general hospital undertaking medical attention”.
A community leader, John Ikwu who also confirmed that 25 corpses were recovered yesterday(Sunday) in Edikwu Ankpali, lamented that Benue was not experiencing any peace anywhere, urging individuals to rise to confront what he described as barbaric and unwarranted killings by heartless killers attacking their communities on a daily basis without restrictions.
He said: ” If we don’t do something now not tomorrow, there will be nowhere to be called Benue. Their agenda is to take over the land and occupy as new owner.
“If you are an appointee of the Government, critical stakeholder, prominent Benue indigene and a patriotic Nigerian and you are quiet over these killings in our communities without speaking out, it is rather unfortunate. Enough is enough”.
The new Police Public Relations’ Officer, PPRO for Benue State command, DSP Udeme Edet confirmed the attack in two local government areas.
“This is to confirm that there was an attack yesterday at Naka and Apa.
“And to let you know that tactical teams have been deployed and already on ground and are on top of the situation..
“I will get back to you after getting further and accurate information please.
