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Benue State Residents Recover Five More Corpses As Death Toll Hits 22 In Herdsmen’s Assault

FILE
May 23, 2023

A breakdown on Tuesday obtained by SaharaReporters showed that three children and two women were killed and burnt in their houses, while 13 men and four soldiers were also killed.
 

 

The death toll in the armed herdsmen’s attack on Iyer village in Uvir Council Ward in the Guma local government area of Benue State has increased to 22.
A breakdown on Tuesday obtained by SaharaReporters showed that three children and two women were killed and burnt in their houses, while 13 men and four soldiers were also killed.
The attack came barely 10 days after same armed herdsmen attacked Mbawa Council Ward in the Guma LGA killing 28 people including women and children.
SaharaReporters had reported on Monday that some armed Fulani herdsmen attacked Benue State Community, killed scores including four soldiers and burning down villages.
Community sources had told SaharaReporters that the terrorists Fulani herdsmen invaded the community at about 5pm on Sunday and opened fire on the residents.

Many people according to sources were burnt alive inside their houses.

A source, who gave his name as Barnabas had told SaharaReporters that the four soldiers killed came to the community after they received distress calls to repel the attackers but were outgunned by the herdsmen numbering over 50.

"This is seventh times Fulani herdsmen would be attacking communities in Guma local government area in one month. This very attack happened at about 5pm yesterday (Sunday) Fulani hensmen with suspected Nigeria soldiers accompanying them launched an attack in Iye village in Uvir council Ward, Guma local government of Benue State. They killed several people including four soldiers. Ten bodies have been discovered with so many houses has been burned."

Another source who doesn't want name to be mentioned in print, decried the instant killing of residents and burning of the house corpses.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Julius Alawari has confirmed the attack.
He however, noted "A combined team of Operation Whirl Stroke, the Police, and the Volunteer Guards confronted and repelled them. One of the attackers was also killed.”