At least 15 persons have been reportedly killed in a renewed armed herdsmen attack in Anyiin, Logo Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state.
The attack also left several persons injured while many others have been declared missing by family members.
The said attack came about three weeks after a similar attack in Ayilamo town, the headquarters of Tombo Council Ward in the same LGA claimed the lives of scores.
A community leader in the area, Chief Joseph Anawa who said the latest attack took place Wednesday at about 6:30 pm lamented that people were already fleeing the community for fear of further attacks.
According to him “militia herdsmen Wednesday unleashed terror on Anyiin town Logo LGA of Benue state in an operation that started about 6:32 pm, leaving over 15 people dead and some with various degrees of injuries while others are missing.
“Among those murdered is Mr Orihundu Ati a retired Primary School Supervisor and the son of the Kindred Head of Mbawuave, Zaki Mbatern as well as the son of Tordoo Suswam, an erstwhile Chief of Staff to a former Logo LG Chairman and the son of Mr. Uyange Chembe younger brother to late District Head of Ukemberagya, Zaki John Chembe.”
Anawa said “the attackers who were numbering over 200 were heavily armed with dangerous weapons such as AK47 among other sophisticated guns. They raided the town in an operation that lasted about three hours.
“In the co-ordinated operation, the terrorists took residents unawares, surrounded the town and shot sporadically in the air and as people scampered for safety, they ran into their well orchestrated ambush.
As a result of the attack, Anyiin town, the headquarters of Gaambe-Tiev is heavily populated with people of Gaambe-Tiev. The town is also playing host to neighbouring displaced communities of Ukemberagya, Tswarev, Mbawar, Gov, Mbainange, and Tombo among others who are taking refuge there after the herdsmen terrorists dispersed them from their communities some years ago.”
The community leader lamented that the marauders successfully executed the attack due to their large number and inadequate security presence.
He called on the Federal and state governments to collaborate and revisit the abandoned Mobile Police Barracks project near Anyiin, along the Akwana-Anyiin-Wukari road in order to provide maximum security in the area.
The Council Chairman of Logo LGA could not be reached but the immediate past Caretaker Chairman, Mr Benjamin Uzenda and a former Councillor from the area, Mr. Jonathan Tyonongo confirmed the attack describing it as unprovoked.
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene, also confirmed the development saying “no details at the moment. More information will be communicated to you as I receive it please.”
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