Unidentified Gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen militia attacked a community, Wandor, Mbakyor in Mbalom, Gwer-East Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state assassinating about 16 persons including a retired soldier and burnt houses numbering about 30.
People from the community informed journalists in Makurdi on Friday, March 8 that the attack which came to them as a surprise took place on Thursday night starting from 7pm and lasted for about three hours.
A witness who wished to be unanimous due to security issues said, “They have recovered seven corpses and there are over 8 dead bodies in the bushes that they're yet to recover. The source added, they came through Mbasombo into our village.
He added, “There is a Fulani settlement close to the boundary between Ihyravye and Ayar and the Alhaji who has caused this, we earlier apprehended three of his boys and handed over to the Police at Aliade and documented, but the boys later freed by police. It is Alhaji that is operating in this axis.
“The source also revealed that they killed the officer that was following up the case, rtd WO2, a military officer, who is the community security adviser.
“They surprised us. They came numbering about 40, some had firearms and others cutlasses.
“They operated for over three hours. The incident commenced about 7pm in the night.
As I’m speaking to you now, over 30 houses has been set ablaze
One of the victims was set ablaze in his house.”
As at the time of filing this report on Friday morning, the source stated that, “The young men are bothered that they are with the corpses now in the village without security men to give them courage, cover and protection to deposit the corpses to the morgue.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Catherine Anene, when contacted confirmed the incident noting that the Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina has left for on the spot assessment of the place and would come back with a detailed report.
Mrs Comfort Agbo, caretaker Chairman, Gwer East, who also confirmed the incident stated, “Currently, there is peace in the Wandor community. 16 bodies have been recovered. Two people sustained injury and are receiving treatment.
