At least 28 people including six personnel of Benue State Community Volunteer Guards (BSCVG) have been reportedly killed by armed invaders in Gyaruwa axis of Gwer West Local Government Area, Benue State.
Locals said that the attack occurred from Saturday to Monday during which the villagers were also chased out of their abodes in Tse-Kperyisa, Tse-Adaa and Tse-Shiver communities.
They explained that the six security personnel were killed while escorting some mourners to bury their dead on Saturday and that by Sunday night, the attackers had killed 16 people while another six were killed along Adoka-Naka Road in Gwer West LGA.
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The villagers listed names of those killed in Tse-Kperyisa as: Atayugh Aondona, Atayugh Monday, Atayugh Friday, Atibee Kperyisa, Atibee Catherine, Anande Tete, Atsaga Ayange, Atsaga John Yeye, Oraduen Aondosoo and Ordem Msuega.
Others killed in Tse-Adaa include: Msanhe Orgbo, Ayageor Ankina while in Tse-Shiver, Gor Kyor and Ormba Gbem were among those killed on Sunday night. It was learnt that two other victims were rescued, but later died in a hospital.
The villagers said the slain bodies had been buried including that of one Atayugh Aondona who was beheaded and his head taken away by his assailants.
Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Henry Agba, told journalists in Makurdi that the attack started on Saturday with the killing of six security personnel of Volunteer Guards and Livestock Guards.
Agba said, “They escorted some families to go and bury their loved ones and on their way back, they were ambushed and six of them were killed. Then on Sunday night around 11pm, they attacked a community in Gyaruwa and 14 were killed instantly.
“On Monday, they attacked another village on Naka-Adoka road and killed people. Six dead bodies have already been recovered. So many people were injured and are in different hospitals in the LGA.
“The Sunday attack happened at 12 midnight while that of yesterday (Monday) was during the morning rainfall. Militia herders carried out the attack.”
Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on External Security. Col. Alexander Anshungu (rtd.), confirmed 16 people were killed in the Gyaruwa vicinity where he visited for on-the-spot assessment of the Sunday attack.
Anshungu added that the attackers used machetes in killing their victims in a most gruesome manner, adding that the Gyaruwa community had been deserted.
Officials of the Volunteer Guards were however yet to react to the killing of their personnel at the time of filing this report as its Public Relations Officer promised to revert with details.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benúe Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed to journalists that she received the report of 10 deaths from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the affected area.
