Gunmen kill APC chieftain, three others in Benue attack

Gunmen suspected to be armed herders, on Tuesday evening, killed a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, identified as Akaabo Johnson and three other people during an attack on the Mbatsada communities in the Mbalom and Mbasombo council ward in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to the native, the suspected armed herders invaded the communities around 4:35 pm on Tuesday in a commando way and shot indiscriminately, resulting in the death of four people.

The Chairman of Gwer-East LGA, Timothy Adi, who confirmed the incident in a telephone chat on Wednesday, said the attack was unprovoked.

Adi, who decried the activities of armed herders in the council, said that the Tuesday attack was the second within the last two weeks.

He said that security men had been deployed to the area to secure the boundary lines of the local government area, in a bid to prevent further attacks.

Adi said, “Four dead bodies among them an APC elder in the ward were recovered and there bodies taken to St. Gregory Hospital morgue.

“I urge residents, particularly the youth, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to relevant security agencies.

We must remain united and steadfast. This attack is a tragedy, but we will not allow fear to rule us. Governor Alia is not resting—plans are underway to put an end to these unprovoked attacks.”

The chairman commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his prompt intervention and timely support that had facilitated the rapid deployment of security forces to contain the situation.

Efforts to get the Benue Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, to confirm the development were not successful as her phone rang out, and she has not responded to text messages sent to her cellphone as of the time of filing this report.