Suspected bandits kill eight in Benue community attack

Once more, suspected Fulani bandits raided the Abagana neighborhood next to the camp for internally displaced people in Benue State's Makurdi/Laafia road.

Only two years had passed since the town had been the victim of an invasion in which seven people were killed before the incident that took place on Thursday night.

According to a source in the area, the most recent incident resulted in the beheading of a family of six and two other people.

According to information, suspected Fulani intruders attacked the Abagana hamlet across from the IDP camp at around 9 p.m., opened fire intermittently, and killed eight individuals, including a father, his wife, and his four children.

A source from the community said, “Last night (Thursday) at about 2100hrs suspected Fulani bandits invaded Abagana community opposite the IDP camp and killed many people.

“Eight corpses, including women and children, have been recovered and another eight people were seriously injured. They have been evacuated to the hospital for treatment.

“Some of the bodies were beheaded and the heads were taken away. A man with his wife and four children were all wiped out in the attack.”

Lt. Col. Paul Hemba, the governor's security adviser, confirmed the attack and claimed that it was an unprovoked assault because the people were about to retire for the night when the Fulani bandits cruelly took their lives.

Hemba named the deceased as Gbashaor Acho, Gbashaor Joseph, Anshe Dekera, Ancho Kpor, Eunice Gbashaor, Sewuese Gbashaor, Terlumun Ajah, Emberga Gbashaor, and Donald Gbashaor. Hemba added that the number of casualties may increase because some other people who were shot and killed may not survive the chest wounds they sustained.

Two of those killed, he continued, were internally displaced people, and two village motorcycles were taken by the bandits.

When reached, Benue State's Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, acknowledged the attack and claimed to be on the scene.

“I’m at the scene of the incident. The moment we leave here, the PPRO (Police Public Relations Officer) will furnish you with details”, the CP said.

Source