‘Dozens killed’ in third attack on Benue town in one week

At least dozens of people have been reportedly killed in another attack on Yelewata, a community in Guma LGA of Benue.

This brings the number of assaults on the town to three in one week.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, left several internally displaced persons (IDPs) and farmers dead, with witnesses describing scenes of people burnt alive in makeshift shelters.

Residents said the gunmen stormed the community just before midnight and operated for over two hours without any immediate resistance from security operatives.

“In previous attacks, some courageous local youths managed to repel them,” one resident told Daily Trust.

“But this time, they came in large numbers with sophisticated weapons and completely overpowered the community.”

Dennis Denen Gbongbon, president of the Association of United Farmers Benue Valley (AUFBV), said the attackers, suspected to be armed herders, targeted Tiv farmers and IDPs.

“At about 2am, suspected Lakurawa bandits invaded Yelewata and killed over 62 people — most of them IDPs and farmers,” he said.

“About 85 percent of the victims are people who had earlier fled Antsa, Dooka, Kadarko, and Giza. They had taken refuge in market stores and roadside shelters. This is a genocide in slow motion.”

Gbongbon said the destruction included dozens of burnt homes.

“It is difficult to comprehend. Entire households wiped out in one night,” he added.

Joseph Har, special adviser on security and internal affairs to Hyacinth Alia, Benue state governor, confirmed the incident.

“I can’t give an exact account because I wasn’t there, but I’m aware that it happened yesterday in Yelewata and also behind Daudu. These are separate attacks,” he said.

Udeme Edet, police spokesperson in Benue, confirmed the attack on Yelewata but withheld casualty figures.

“According to our information, it happened in the early hours of today,” Edet said.

“Suspected bandits invaded Yelewata town, and the police tactical team already deployed there responded swiftly.

“There was a fierce gun battle, and some of the attackers were neutralised. Sadly, some individuals lost their lives and others were injured. We are still pursuing the attackers and remain committed to restoring peace.”

On Monday, Abba Moro, senator representing Benue south, asked Olufemi Oluyede, chief of army staff, to deploy more troops to vulnerable communities in the state.

Moro, who is also the senate minority leader, made the request when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the army headquarters in Abuja.