From Rose Ejembi, Makurdi
No fewer than 15 persons have been feared killed by suspected armed herdsmen in Udei and Yelwata communities of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on Monday evening.
Our correspondent gathered that the victims who were mostly timber dealers were attacked by the gunmen while they were still in the bush to ply their trade around 7pm that fateful day.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene couldn’t confirm the attack at the time of filing this report saying she was yet to get any information on the matter.
However, Chairman of the council, Caleb Aba confirmed the report in a telephone chat with newsmen on Wednesday evening.
“I heard of the incident. Those killed were timber dealers who went yesterday (Monday) in the evening to collect the timber they had cut from the forest in Mbagwen.
“So, it was when they were coming out of the forest that they met the attackers who attacked and killed them.
“They were 15 in number. So far, five corpses have been recovered out of the 15 persons. I have reported the matter to the police. The attack took place around 7 pm,” the council boss said.
Efforts to speak with the OPWS Commander, Maj. Gen. Kevin Aligbe on the development were unsuccessful but a military source who did not want to be named confirmed the report.
“Confirmed. Four locals were killed at night and we are setting up something for them from tonight. The criminals went Nulle Community in Udei two nights ago to carry out the crime. We will get them,” the military source assured.