At least 50 locals have reportedly lost their lives in a four-day sustained attack by unknown terrorists who invaded some communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
The immediate past chairman of the local council, Tertsua Yarkbewan, confirmed the attack to journalists over the phone as he mentioned the invaded communities including Adam, Iyarinwa, Abamde Ityuluv, Waya Boagundu, Agura Ayaga and Azege areas in Turan Council Ward, Kwande LGA.
“My people are being massacred like goats,” he mourned. “What we have been hearing is that there are Fulani attacks, especially in Turan in the Kwande axis. Even places where there were no attacks before are witnessing attacks.”
“Now, every day you hear that five or four people were killed, you cannot have the exact number of those that have been killed because some corpses are still in the bush and yet to be recovered. But looking at the number of people being killed in the past few days, I think the casualty figures should be over 50,” Yarkbewan added.
Catherine Anene, spokesperson for Benue Police Command also confirmed the attack but believes the casualty figures were exaggerated.
“They have not given me the report but it is not up to 50; the initial report they gave me there was a change of leadership of the division,” she told Punch. “The new DPO just reported last Friday and when I asked him to give me a situation report he said the area is calm now.”
