Security personnel have been sent to Abaushwa community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State after four people were reportedly killed in a midnight attack on Monday.
The deployment came as police opened an investigation into the killings, which residents blamed on suspected armed herders.
The attack happened in Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward. According to residents, the attackers entered the village around midnight, broke into homes and attacked people as they slept. Several others were injured and taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba for treatment.
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Report by Punch Newspapers revealed that a resident, named Atoundo, said there was nothing that led to the attack.
“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.”
The attack drew attention from leaders connected to the area. Former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board, Dr Frank Kyungun, who is from the community, also said the attack was unprovoked.
He said armed herders entered the community at about midnight and carried out a heavy assault that left four people dead and several others injured. He said those wounded were taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba for treatment.
He also said he joined the former governor on a visit to sympathise with members of the community after the attack.
“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.
Security presence after attack
Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Morris Orwough, condemned the killings and announced that security personnel had been deployed to Abaushwa.
His reaction was made public through a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Ernest Tortiv.
The deployment, the chairman maintained, is meant to restore peace in the community, protect lives and property, and stop further attacks.
He also appealed to residents to stay calm, work with security agencies and continue to provide credible information that could help efforts to tackle insecurity in the area.
The move came as the community continued to count its losses after the overnight attack.
Police begin investigation
The Benue State Police Command confirmed that four people lost their lives during the incident.
Police spokesperson DSP Peter Aondona said the attack took place in Guma Local Government Area and identified the attackers as suspected bandits.
“I can confirm that there was an attack in Guma LGA 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.”
The police confirmation matched accounts from residents and community leaders that four people died after one of the injured victims later died in hospital.
Authorities have not announced any arrests, but the police said the investigation is continuing as security personnel remain in Abaushwa to prevent another attack and support efforts to restore calm in the community.
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