JUST IN: Herdsmen wipe out family of seven, others in Benue

JUST IN: Herdsmen wipe out family of seven, others in Benue

Suspected herdsmen on Tuesday killed no fewer than 10 persons in Azandeh, community, Mbasaa, Mbajiga, Ityulugh, Torov district in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue North senatorial zone.

But residents of the area put the figures at 30 or more.

Among those killed was a family of seven. Residents identified them as Michael Mtindiga Adzandeh, Iorfa Michael Mtindiga Adzandeh, Akighirga Adzandeh, Tyowuese Adzandeh, Tersee Swende Adzandeh, Terngu Tortiv Adzandeh and Terkaa Shiati Adzandeh.

An eyewitness Tersoo Iorbee told The Nation they got information that some suspected herdsmen were coming to attack the community.

Iorbee said: ” More than one hour after that information, some gunmen with covered masks stormed Adzandeh settlement, shot at everyone in sight and when the dust was dawn 10 persons were confirmed dead, including a family of seven “

Msugh Aga, who escaped narrowly and is taking refuge in another town said: “The armed herdsmen shot at people. Thereafter, they used long knives and butchered them into pieces. They also set many houses ablaze.”

The caretaker Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area Hon, Victor Iorzaa, who confirmed the incident, said he has directed the Divisional Police Officer( DPO) of Ukum to deploy more men to the troubled area to prevent further killings.

Ukum Local Government Area, which shares a boundary with Wukari Local Government Area in Taraba State, has been under attacks from suspected herdsmen.

But Benue Police Command said it was yet to get report of the attack.