By Emmanuel Onyedika
No fewer than four persons have been reportedly killed and many others injured as suspected armed herdsmen launched an attack on Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, the hometown of former Governor Samuel Ortom.
Residents said the assailants stormed the community at about midnight on Monday while people were asleep, shooting sporadically, destroying homes and killing victims in their sleep. A source explained: “They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses. Three persons were killed during the attack, while many others sustained injuries. One of the injured later died, bringing the death toll to four. Several people are still missing, and search efforts are ongoing.”
Reacting, Dr. Frank Kyungun, former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board, who visited the community alongside former Governor Ortom, described the incident as unprovoked and barbaric. “It was an unprovoked attack by armed herdsmen. They killed four people and left several others injured. Our people resolved long ago to stop eating beef, and it is not even sold in our markets because we wanted to avoid any conflict. Even when our farmlands are destroyed by grazing cattle, our people have continued to exercise restraint. We cannot understand why innocent people should be killed without any provocation. It is a sad and painful development,” he said.
Chairman of Guma LGA, Morris Orwough, condemned the attack in a statement issued by his aide, describing it as heartbreaking and unacceptable. He expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured, announcing that security personnel had been deployed to Abaushwa to restore peace and prevent further attacks.
The Benue State Police Command also confirmed the incident. Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondona, said: “I can confirm that there was an attack in Guma LGA in which four persons were killed by suspected bandits.” He added that investigations had been launched and efforts were being intensified to ensure the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.