Bandits suspected to be armed herders on Christmas Day invaded Ityuluv, Tse Azege and Innyiev ya communities in the Mkomon district of Turan in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State and killed about 11 people.
Some residents of the affected communities, who spoke with our correspondent on Thursday, said the invaders were reported to have stormed the communities when residents were celebrating Christmas.
One of the residents who identified himself as Terlumun said, “The terrorist herders came on Wednesday afternoon when the people were celebrating Christmas and invaded our communities, killing and burning houses.”
The communities attacked, according to the resident, include Ityuluv, Tse Azege at iIn nyiev ya.
The President General of the Tiv socio-cultural group known as ‘Mdzough U Tiv Worldwide’, retired Comptroller of Prison Iorbee Ihagh, who hails from the local government, confirmed the attack to TheNigerian Metro on Thursday, saying 11 people were killed.
He said, “Eleven people were killed in the Christmas Day attack on Mkomon District of Turan in Kwande LG. Some are still missing as I speak to you now.
“Our people were celebrating Christmas when the Fulani herdsmen invaded the communities and attacked the people.”
Ihagh who spoke to our correspondent on the phone went down memory lane adding that some council wards in the local government, particularly, Moon, had long been sacked by the Fulani herdsmen and regretted the incident on Christmas Day.
He called on the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, and President Bola Tinubu to beef up security in the state.
The Security Adviser to the governor on Internal Affairs and Security, Joseph Har, who also confirmed the attack declined further comments and referred our correspondent to the Director General on Security, Gbamuam Jacob.
“It’s true, I was informed about the incident but I have forwarded the report to the Director General on Security, who will give you details,” Har said.
Efforts to get the DG Security were futile as his telephone did not connect as of the time of filing this report.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, said she had yet to receive any report about the incident.
“I am yet to receive any report about that,” Anene said.
