Gunmen storm Benue community, kill scores in fresh attack

No fewer than six persons have been reportedly killed in a fresh attack on Umella village in Mbawa Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

It was gathered that the attack happened around 3pm on Thursday.

The residents said that a lot of invaders attacked the community with guns and other weapons, killing the six people in the process.

“There was pandemonium in the village soon after the gunshots were heard from all directions. Six corpses were recovered immediately after the invaders fled the scene while some people sustained injuries,” a villager said.

Guma Local Government Council Chairman, Mike Ubah, confirmed the killing of the six persons to newsmen saying the attackers were suspected armed herders, according to one of the victims who was sustained serious injury.

“Yesterday (Thursday), at about 3:40pm, armed herders attacked Tse-Umella village in Ortese community and killed six persons,” he said.

Also, the Benue State Special Adviser on Security Matters, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba (rtd), told Journalists that six people were killed in the attack while two people were badly injured.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP. Catherine Anene, however, did not respond to calls and text message sent to her telephone, seeking comments on the incident.