Suspected herdsmen kill 15 in Benue
The people of Itekpa community in Obi Local Government Area in Benue state have cried out over the killing of 15 families last Sunday, by suspected herdsmen despite the presence of troops of ‘Operation Whirl Stroke’.
Acting chairman of Obi Local Government Area, Mr. Joseph Ipenyi in a chat, said the attackers invaded the community at about 7:00 pm that fateful Sunday and started shooting indiscriminately which forced residents to scamper for safety.
Mr. Ipenyi explained that the victims were part of those who converged in the residence of the newly elected chairman of the local government area after her victory at the polls last Saturday.
According to him, the suspected herdsmen made away with all the cattle in the ranch owned by the member representing Obi Constituency at the state House of assembly, Mr. Peter Onche.
He stated that such deadly attacks in the community was the second one carried out by suspected herdsmen after a similar one about four months ago.
The chairman further disclosed that over 3,000 people that escaped the attack were been camped at the LGEA Primary School, Obalike Ito, maintaining that the Benue state Police Command has mobilized it personnel to keep peace in the area.
Although, the commandant of ‘Operation Whirl Stroke’, Major General Yekini could not be reached for comment, the state police commissioner said only three bodies were recovered from the attack.
He revealed that the command has deployed men to the area who have brought the situation under control.
