Suspected Herdsmen Kill Eight Persons Near IDP Camp In Benue

Eight persons have been killed by suspected herdsmen during an attack on a community opposite Abagana Internally Displaced Persons camp in Makurdi, on Thursday night January 19

Channels Television reported that the killers beheaded and took away the heads of the victims, including an entire family of six. Eight other persons were wounded with three of them in critical condition.

This is reportedly the second attack in two years and it is speculated to be an attempt to hit the Abagana IDP camp where hundreds of internally displaced persons have been living since January 2018 when armed herdsmen attacked and killed seventy three persons in Guma and Logo local government areas of the state.

Special Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom on security matters, Colonel Paul Hemba (retd) who confirmed the attack, said a rescue operations by the police is underway and the search for survivors or more bodies is ongoing.

Hemba said the attack took place at about 9.00pm on Thursday, January 19, and that women and children were among those killed. Those injured have been moved to the hospital for medical care.

He said;

”Suspected fulani bandits attacked Abagana opposite the IDP camp last night at about 2100hrs. So far, eight corpses, including women and children, have been recovered, and eight others seriously injured were evacuated to the hospital for treatment. Some of the bodies were beheaded and the heads taken away. The bushes are still being combed for more victims.

 "The family killed consisted of the father, mother, and four children, while two other bodies were recovered along the way.

“A man with his wife and four children were all wiped out in the attack,” Colonel Hemba said, adding that the casualty figure may likely rise as three other persons were shot and may not survive the injuries in the chest.”