Suspected bandits attacked a community opposite the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at Abagena, Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue in the late hours of 19th January 2023, killing scores. An eyewitness in the community revealed that the attack which took place at about 2100hrs claimed the lives of eight persons, including women and children, as well as scores of persons seriously wounded. “Some of the victims were beheaded and their heads were taken away. The bushes are still being combed in search of more victims. “A man, his wife, and four children were all wiped out in the attack.
“The casualty figure may likely rise as three other persons were fatally shot and may not survive the injuries to their chests,’’ the eyewitness said.
Confirming the attack, the Security Adviser the governor, Lt.Col Paul Hemba, said that the attack was unprovoked as the villagers were already set to go to bed when they met their untimely deaths in the hands of the Fulani bandits.
Hemba who gave names of those killed as Gbashaor Acho, Gbashaor Joseph, Anshe Dekera, Ancho Kpor, Eunice Gbashaor, Sewuese Gbashaor, Terlumun Ajah, Emberga Gbashaor, and Donald Gbashaor, said that the casualty figure may likely rise as some other persons who were fatally shot and wounded may not survive the injuries in their chest. He added that two of those killed were IDPs while the bandits stole two motorcycles belonging to the villagers.
When contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State, Wale Abass, confirmed the attack and said he was at the scene of the incident.