Four people have been killed in a fresh attack on Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue.
The attack, which occurred on Monday night, also left several residents injured.
Residents told journalists that the assailants stormed the community at about midnight, attacking homes and killing victims while they slept.
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A resident, who identified himself simply as Atoundo, said the attackers broke into houses and attacked occupants.
“They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses.
“Three persons were killed during the attack, while several others sustained injuries. The injured were taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba, but one of them later died, bringing the death toll to four,” he said.
A former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board, Dr Frank Kyungun, who is from the community, also described the attack as unprovoked.
“They came at about midnight and launched a heavy assault on the community. They killed four people and left several others injured. Those wounded have been taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba.
“We accompanied the former governor to sympathise with our people and urged them to remain calm and allow the police to carry out their investigations,” he said.
Reacting to the incident, Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Morris Orwough, condemned the attack in a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Ernest Tortiv.
Orwough said security personnel had been deployed to the community to restore peace, protect lives and property, and prevent further attacks.
He urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information that would assist ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity in the area.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondona, said four persons were killed in the attack.
“I can confirm that there was an attack in Guma Local Government Area in which four persons were killed by suspected bandits. Investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice,” he said.