Alleged herdsmen are said to have carried out a fresh assault on the Wandor community located within the Gwer-East local government area of Benue state. This attack reportedly took place in the wee hours of Friday, March 8, resulting in the death of sixteen individuals.
Additionally, the onslaught extended to Mbaikyor and the Mbalom council ward, also situated in Gwer-East local government area of the state.
Sources indicate that this recent attack marks the second occurrence of violence in the community in a relatively short span.
Back in 2018, herdsmen were accused of the brutal murder of two Catholic priests and 18 parishioners in Mbalom during an Easter morning mass.
An eyewitness, identified as Ujam Amase, described the horrific scene, stating that the armed assailants descended on Mbalom around 10 pm, just as residents were settling into their homes for the night. They then commenced shooting at the inhabitants.
Amase further disclosed that the attackers proceeded to set the houses on fire, leading to the destruction of property valued at millions of naira, including various food items.
“They killed children and women after shooting them, they used long knife and cut their bodies into pieces like meat,” Amase, who narrowly escaped the violent encounter, recounted.
The names of the 16 deceased individuals have been listed as follows: Peter Tion, Nyityo Kyoon, Iorfa Ukombor, Doopinen Awua, Tyoshaa Mkaanem, Asan Ate, Asough Ate, Terzungwe Asoo Ate, MWO Mbatsavbun Gbatar (retired), John Ndahagh Tyohemba, Tertsea Ukombor, Akuma Kpenge, Abume Kpenge, Igba Byuan, Master Ter Byuan Terzungwe Aulugh, and a young boy whose identity remains unknown.
At the time this report was compiled, a noticeable number of residents were observed fleeing from the impacted communities, driven by a fear of the unknown.
