At least 17 persons, including two soldiers, were killed by armed invaders suspected to be herdsmen in three communities of Apa local government area of Benue state.
The attack, according to locals, happened Tuesday evening around 6,00pm.
The locals also said the attacks happened simultaneously in Opaha, Odugbo and Edikwu communities all in Apa local government areas of the state.
One of the locals who simply gave his name as Oche, said 17 bodies including two soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), were recovered from nearby bushes Wednesday morning after security operatives combed the area.
He said one of the deceased soldiers was the Commander of the unit that confronted the armed invaders in their bid to repel the attackers from the communities.
Chairman of Apa Development Association, Barrister Eche Akpoko, confirmed the attack.
Akpoko said, at the time of his contact with the community, 14 dead bodies including two soldiers were already recovered.
The community leader, however, said he was yet to get an update as at Wednesday afternoon.
The Commissioner of Finance in the state, David Olofu, who hails from Opaha, one of the villages attacked, told journalists in Makurdi, that the bodies of 15 villagers and two soldiers were recovered this morning.
Olofu said he was in his village to ascertain things for himself, and was surprised at the level of killing in his community.
When contacted, spokesman of OPWS, Flight Lieutenant D.O Oquah, said he was out of town and could not speak on the matter.
A Sector Commander of OPWS in charge of Apa LGA, Major Ogundile, could also not be reached as his telephone was switched off.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue Command, SP Catherine Sewuese Anene, told our correspondent via the telephone she was yet to get details of the attack.
6 miners killed in Plateau
In a related development, gunmen also killed six persons in Plateau state.
The latest victims were said to be miners carrying out their activities at the Turu community in Jos South local government area of the state when the criminals attacked them Tuesday night.
It was gathered that following the death of the miners, youth from various communities in the area blocked the Jos -Abuja highway in protest, leaving commuters stranded on the road.
The attack on the miners comes less than two days after gunmen killed no fewer than seven persons in two separate attacks that occurred in Wereng and Heipang communities of Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas respectively.
Confirming the development in a statement Wednesday, the lawmaker representing Jos South and Jos East Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Dachung Bagos, called on the government to come to the aid of his constituents and stop further attacks on the communities.
The statement, signed by his aide, Danja Dafwam Yakubu, said:
“The member representing Jos South/Jos East in the House of Representatives, Dachung Musa Bagos, is disheartened about renewed attacks on communities in Plateau State by suspected herdsmen.
“Bagos described as sad the last night attack (Tuesday, April 25, 2023) at 8:00 pm where six people were killed at mining spot in Farinlamba Turu, Jos South Local Government of Plateau State”
The lawmaker, who is also the deputy chairman, House Committee on Anti-corruption, wondered how criminals beat security agents “to perpetrate these heinous acts and vanish into thin air without resistance.”
He listed those killed to include Ishaya David, 25 years from Tana; Paul Adamu from Dangyuruk, 23; Bitrus Mancha from Dantou, 43; Davou Boyi from Dawurum, 40; Joseph John from Dawurum, 39; and Timothy Peter, 35.
“The member is also calling on the Federal security agencies as a matter of urgency to come to the aid of these hapless citizens and provide them with security.
“The member, therefore, calls on all relevant authorities to wake up and protect the lives and property of Nigerians as it’s the minimum requirement from the government.
“The member, therefore, calls on citizens in those areas to be law-abiding and restrain from taking laws into their own hands but be vigilant at all times,” the statement added.
