Herdsmen kill women, children in another attack

An attack by suspected herdsmen in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State has led to the death of a local man and several other people, including market women and children.

According to a report by Daily Post, the victims were attacked in an ambush while returning from the popular YelewataMarket on Tuesday, March 13, 2018.

Some of the victims were hacked to death by the attackers and four others escaped with varying amount of injuries.

A resident of the community told Daily Post, "They killed Aondowase Uma, many other persons and even injured four people who were returning from Yelewata Market last night.

"As we speak, several persons are still missing; as at this morning (Wednesday), search is still ongoing."

Another attack in Guma

The Daily Post also reported that another Tuesday attack, also by suspected herdsmen, took place in Tse Igbe at Nyiev Council Ward in Guma with a Catholic catechist, Christopher Unenge, reported dead alongside others.

The heavily armed gunmen stormed the village in the evening and razed down several houses.

A source said, "As we speak, the entire village is empty. Villagers have abandoned their homes for the herdsmen."

Benue's herdsmen crisis

Benue has been troubled by violent killings this year as a spate of attacks by suspected cattle herders have led to the death of over 100 victims.

At least 24 people were killed during a recent attack carried out on March 5 by herdsmen in Omusu Edimoga, a village in Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state.

The bodies of 73 men, women and children were buried at a mass burial ceremony organised by the state government on January 11 after several attacks by cattle herders.