A former army officer and fifteen other people were killed by suspected armed herders on Thursday night when they assaulted Wandor, Mbaikyor community in the Mbalom Council Ward of Gwer East Local Government Area, LGA of Benue State.
In the assault, the attackers destroyed more than fifty homes, shelters, farms, and food warehouses in eleven communities.
According to the DAILY POST, the attack happened around six years after armed herders attacked St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ukpor Parish, Mbalom Gwer East LGA. In that attack, two Catholic priests and seventeen parishioners lost their lives.
Speaking under anonymity, an attack survivor stated that the approximately forty armed raiders ambushed the neighborhood at around 7 o’clock at night and started shooting at the unprepared people.
“At the moment, there is relative peace in the Wandor community,” stated Mrs. Comfort Agbo, the Caretaker Chairman of Gwer East LGA, while verifying the situation. So far, sixteen bodies have been found. Two were hurt and are at the medical center.
“My people were attacked and killed by what appear to be armed herdsmen.” The bodies are presently being transported to the mortuary by security personnel.
The Police Commissioner is en route to the attack scene for an assessment, according to Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer, who verified the news.
A trip to the community was reportedly led by State Deputy Governor Sam Ode concurrently.
