Christmas Day: Suspected Gunmen Kill 11 In Benue State

By - LCR 27 December 2024 Comments (0) 3 Mins Read

No fewer than 11 people were reportedly k!lled when suspected herdsmen attacked communities in Nyiev-ya in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

It was gathered that the attackers invaded the communities on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, when residents were celebrating Christmas.

“The terrorist herders came on Wednesday afternoon when the people were celebrating Christmas and invaded our communities, k!lling and burning houses,” one of the residents who identified himself as Terlumun told Punch

The President-General of the Tiv socio-cultural group known as ‘Mdzough U Tiv Worldwide,’ Iorbee Ihagh, confirmed the attack the publication on Thursday.

“11 people were k!lled in the Christmas day attack on Mkomon district of Turan in Kwande LG. Some are still missing as I speak to you now. Our people were celebrating Christmas when the Fulani herdsmen invaded the communities and attacked the people,” he said.

Ihagh said some council wards in the LG, particularly, Moon council ward, had long been sacked by the herdsmen.

He called on Governor Hyacinth Alia and President Bola Tinubu to beef up security in the state.

Solomon Amande, a former aide to the immediate governor of the state, whose community was affected, confirmed the d!ath of 11 persons alleging that the killings were carried out by a combined team of armed herders and militia groups.

“I was told that given the relative peace for some time now in the communities, the people who deserted their homes due to the activities of armed herdsmen decided to go back home and reside in their communities,” Amande said.

“They settled in their communities and went about their normal activities. Unfortunately, on Christmas Day, they went to church and after returning home, families were preparing meals and some gathered and relaxed at spots to celebrate Christmas when a combined team of armed herdsmen and Jukun militias started attacking from five places.

“They were chasing people and shooting sporadically, and whoever they caught up with was k!lled. They did that till they got to Government Secondary School, Anwase.

“They k!lled 10 people at Anwase in Mbaikyor Council Ward of Turan. And they also k!lled one person at Iyaav Council Ward, which is my ward, around Tse Jam River Crossing. They carried out the k!llings in communities at the foot of the mountain. It was indeed a sad Christmas for our people.

The governor’s Security Adviser on Internal Affairs and Security, Joseph Har, also confirmed the attack.

“It’s true. I was informed about the incident but I have forwarded the report to the Director-General on security. He’ll give you details,” Har said.