Suspected herders’ attack leaves five dead in Benue

Benue gov, Alia

Suspected armed herders have killed five persons in a renewed attack on the Tuutuu community in Entekpa Ward of Adoka, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The ward head of Entekpa, Mr Oliver Inalegwu, who disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday, said the village had been largely deserted following the deadly assault.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Mr Maxwell Ogri, described the attack as well-coordinated and premeditated.

According to Ogri, the attackers used cattle movement as a decoy before launching the assault on the community.

“I just returned from the community. What happened was that there was information that some strangers had entered the village,” he said.

“After some time, it was discovered that the movement of cattle was merely a decoy to divert attention. While the cows were coming from one direction, the attackers approached from another.

“They had already positioned themselves on trees, waiting for the right moment to strike. They caused extensive damage, and instantly, five persons were killed.”

Ogri added that several residents sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries and were rushed to different hospitals for treatment.

He said the local government had mobilised the state-backed Civil Protection Guard to the area to support the military personnel already deployed to the community, noting that the latest attack had worsened the humanitarian situation in the area.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive a report on the incident.

“I have yet to get a report from Otukpo on the incident. I will get back to you once I have the details,” Edet said. Punch