Many feared killed in new Benue community attack

Many people were reportedly killed in a renewed attack by bandits at Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attackers were said to have invaded the town on Wednesday around 6:32 pm, killing many people.

Several others reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries, while many people were reported missing as of the time of filing this report.

Anyiin is the hometown of the former governor of the state, Gabriel Suswam.

A community leader from Anyiin, Joseph Anawah, who spoke to our correspondent on Thursday, said that the suspected bandits, numbering over 20 and heavily armed, carried out an operation that lasted three hours.

He said, “Terrorists yesterday, Wednesday, October 30, 2024, unleashed terror on Anyiin town, Logo LGA of Benue State, in an operation that started around 6:32 pm, leaving over 15 people dead, some with injuries, and others missing.”

Among those killed in the gruesome attack, according to the community leader, are a retired primary school supervisor, Orihundu Ati, and the son of the Kindred Head of Mbawuave, Zaki Mbatern.

Others he listed include the son of the former Chief of Staff to the former Logo local government chairman, Tordoo Suswam, and the son of Mr Uyange Chembe, the younger brother of the late District Head of Ukemberagya, Zaki John Chembe.

Anawah, a former aide to the former governor of the state, Gabriel Suswam, said the large number of invaders overwhelmed the security operatives stationed in the town.

While noting that Wednesday’s attack was the second in October, Anawah called on the state government to collaborate with the Federal Government to provide maximum security in the area.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state command, Catherine Anene, said she had yet to receive a report on the incident.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Security and External Affairs, Alex Igbaya, confirmed the incident but declined to give a casualty figure.

He said, “Security personnel have already been deployed to the area; military men are there.”