Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen militia have attacked two communities; Mchia and Mou, in Logo Local Government Area of Benue state leaving 15 persons dead.
The Police Commissioner, Wale A. bass who confirmed the incident, however, said 10 persons died.
A community leader from the area, Mr. Joseph Anawah who spoke to journalists on phone said “on the 21st September, 2022, at about 10:00 pm, armed Fulani herdsmen attacked Mchia village in Mbagber council ward Logo LGA.
“They murdered 12 persons and shot 15 persons including Oliver Chion, Mchivga Utume, Bemdoo Hindi, Aondonengen Kwaghwe, Shinku Ngimsho, Gwa Joseph, Vihishima Mbanomso, Luter Yeke, Sonter Chieam, Aondosoo and two others.”
He also stated that the gunmen also carried out a separate attack on Mou village in Ukemberagya/Tswarev council ward Logo LGA and killed three persons; Lanem Dooior, Iorungwa Andy Uchir and Emeka Ike, an Igbo trader.
Anawah who noted that children were not spared in the attack said the injured persons; Mr. Shaorga Akaaume, Ubugh Obele and Aondosoo Aondoakaa, are now receiving treatment at NKST hospital Anyiin, headquarters of Logo local government.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Maj. Gen. Kevin Aligbe, confirmed the incident saying “We got information about these people (terrorists) planning to attack Ortese, Nkohol and two other locations in Guma LGA on Tuesday night and we quickly deployed that night and reinforced to the places yesterday morning.
“My troops noticed where those guys were hibernating in the bush and went after them. Of course, they made contacts with them. They saw them carrying their casualties and running into the bush.”
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He, however, regretted that in the cause of coming back, one of the soldiers slumped and was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.
“We are still maintaining the trend of surveillance in Ortese and Nkohol axis in Guma and that is why you have not heard about any attack there. We were still in Guma when we heard about the Logo attack.
He said the settlement pattern of the Benue people have not been aiding their operation as the attackers usually go to isolated areas where they know that security is not near and they kill innocent farmers and other innocent people.
He urged residents to be calm as the troops are managing the situation in Logo.
The Security Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba, rtd, has described the incidence as unfortunate.
He said, “While the attack was on, I received a distress call and quickly alerted security agencies who rushed to the two communities but by the time they arrived, the damage had already been done. The gunmen did that and ran away into the bush.
“Same day, two communities were to be attacked in Guma. Fortunately, officers of OPWS got the information and prevented the attacks. The soldiers laid ambush and engaged the bandits in gun duel. So many of the bandits were neutralized but the five motorcycles used by the soldiers were burnt down.”
While stating that the Logo attack was unprovoked, Hemba said government and security agencies are doing everything possible to handle the issue.
