Three killed as armed attackers strike Benue community again

At least three persons have lost their lives following renewed attacks by suspected armed assailants in Anyiase community, Moon Council Ward of Kwande Local Government Area in Benue State.

Residents said the violence occurred between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, less than 24 hours after another deadly attack was reported in a rural community in Okpokwu Local Government Area.

A former Supervisory Councillor in the area, Akerigba Lawrence, said the attackers stormed farmlands in Anyiase at about 3:20 p.m. on Thursday, killing two farmers, identified as Asongo Nagwebe and Tarzan Agbahegh.

Lawrence said a man and a woman also sustained severe injuries during the assault and were taken to the General Hospital in Jato-Aka for treatment.

He disclosed that the male victim later died while being transferred to Makurdi for advanced medical care, bringing the death toll from the farm attack to three.

According to him, the suspected attackers also mounted a road blockade at Kyoawen Junction on Friday morning and opened fire on a commercial bus carrying passengers.

The exact number of casualties from the latest roadside attack was yet to be confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Efforts to get a reaction from the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Vitalis Neji, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to phone calls or text messages.

Likewise, the Benue State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for official confirmation before press time.