From Rose Ejembi and Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi

At least 15 people have been confirmed dead in a fresh attack on two communities in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

A community leader in the area, Elder Joseph Anawah, told reporters that “on 21st Sept 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 children who are now receiving treatment at NKST hospital Anyiin, headquarters of Logo local government.

According to him, those murdered include Mr. Atsagba Oliver Chion, Mchivga Utume, Bemdoo Hindi, Aondonengen Kwaghwe, Shinku Ngimsho, Gwa Joseph, Vihishima Mbanomso, Luter Yeke, Sonter Chieam, Aondosoo and two others.

Anawah further said the gunmen also carried out a separate attack on Mou village in Ukemberagya/Tswarev council ward Logo LGA where they murdered three persons, including Lanem Dooior, Iorungwa Andy Uchir and Emeka Ike, an Igbo trader.

“They also shot and injured three persons; Mr Shaorga Akaaume, Ubugh Obele and Aondosoo Aondoakaa. Children were also not spared. The attacks were unprovoked,” Anawah said.

Reacting to the incident, Commander of the joint military spike opration codenamed ‘Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS)’, Maj Gen Kevin Aligbe, confirmed the incident.

“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,” he said.

Related: Benue: 2 killed, 3 abducted in renewed communal clash

He denied rumours that one of his soldiers were killed saying, “one of my soldiers who participated in the operation slumped on their way back and was later confirmed dead at the hospital.

“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.

“In the cause of coming back, one of our soldiers just slumped, he was not shot. He was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

“We are still maintaining the trend of surveillance in Ortese and Nkohol axis 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 lamented that the settlement pattern of the Benue people has not been helping their operation but noted that the troops are managing the situation in Logo and other parts of the state.

“Some things had been happening around that area (Logo) before now which made us to conduct a weeklong operation there about two weeks ago. Even my Sector Commander had to move to the area.

“These terrorists have killed between two to four people every three to four days within the last three weeks in Guma axis. So, we needed to just clear that side.

“The pattern of settlement is not also helping matters too. They go to isolated areas where they know that security is not near and they kill innocent farmers and other innocent people,” he said.

Speaking to reporters on the incident, the Security Adviser to Government Samuel Ortom, Lt Col Paul Hemba (retd), described the killings as unfortunate.

He confirmed that two communities were attacked by bandits; Mchia where 12 persons were killed and Mou community where two others were killed.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

When contacted, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Wale Abass, confirmed the killing of 10 persons in the Logo attack.