Residents flee 2 Benue communities over attacks

Residents of two communities of Edumoga District in Okpokwu LGA of Benue State, on Monday, fled their villages following attacks.

Our correspondent reports that Effeche and Igama communities came under heavy fire on Sunday during which many people reportedly were killed.

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The Chairman of Okpokwu LGA, Amina Audu, told our correspondent on telephone that the death toll had risen to 15 from the initial 11 reported by the media.

Ms Audu said a lot of people were still unaccounted for and that a search party was combing the bushes to find missing persons.

She, however, said nobody was killed in Effeche community which also came under attack at about 9pm on Sunday.

She said, “Nine corpses were recovered on Sunday, while six more were recovered on Monday morning. The search is on for several missing persons.

“The incident has led to the displacement of thousands of persons, especially women, the elderly and children, who are now taking refuge in Ojabo, Ojigo Ward, as well as Utonkon in Ado LGA.

“All their houses and property were destroyed. There is not a single house in the area that is standing.”

Meanwhile, the police spokes woman in the state, Catherine Anene, said she was yet to get update on the incident.