At least 11 people were reportedly killeed in an attack by gunmen on different towns in Nyiev-ya, Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State.
This incident was reported to have occurred on Wednesday, December 25, while the people were spending Christmas with their family.
A local source, who chooses to remain anonymous, verified the attack on Thursday.
He told Channels Television that they received a distress message saying, “Nyiev-ya is under attack.”
“The terrorist herders came this afternoon (December 25), and invaded Ubutu and GSS Anwase, killing and burning houses,” a source informed me.
“Daniel Jam’s son was killed by terrorists. Please pray for our community for God’s and the government’s intervention.”
While the killing was taking place in the Tse Azege neighbourhood, another person said that an attack was also taking place in Ityuluv, which is part of the Nyiev-ya community.
“If there is anything the chairman or the government will do, it should be quick. The news from Kwande is still not good. “The terrorist herders have continued their attack on our people today (December 26),” he stated.
The President General of Mzough U Tiv (MUT) Worldwide, CP Iorbee Ihagh (retired), who is from Kwande LGA, stated that he contacted the community leader in the area, who corroborated the attack.
He described the incident as unjustified and claimed several individuals were slain on Christmas Day.
“11 individuals were reportedly murdered in the attack on Kwande LGA yesterday. The incident was unprovoked, but the attackers, who were herders, stormed the communities and attacked the residents.
“Most are still missing. Leaders of the impacted villages reported the attack to the police station.”
Another native, Solomon Amande, whose neighbourhood was impacted, confirmed the deaths of 11 people.
He alleged that the killings were carried out by a group of armed herdsmen and militia members.
The Benue State Police Command has yet to respond to the new attack in the Katsina-Ala and Kwande local government areas.
