Suspected armed herdsmen have reportedly killed two soldiers in Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attackers also killed a police officer and two farmers, identified as Yenge Kwaghkuga and Bem Adughigbudu.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the soldiers were ambushed while responding to a distress call from residents on the outskirts of Jato-Aka.
Following the attack, security forces deployed 12 trucks of personnel to the area on Thursday morning. Sources said one soldier sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh, while another remains missing.
Residents have called for increased security presence, citing the sophistication of weapons used by the attackers and the frequency of assaults in the region.
A local, Lawrence Akarigba, expressed concern over the persistent violence, revealing that herders also attacked Tse Tsumbu and Yaav Ward on Wednesday, killing two more people.
“The affected area is home to the legislative aide to Senator Emmanuel Udende, whose brother, a Volunteer Guard member, was killed last year,” he said.
“We have fled Jato-Aka, the largest town in Turan, which is also the hometown of the late elder statesman, Wantaregh Paul Iorpuu Unongo. Jato-Aka is like Afghanistan now; residents are afraid to return. Increased security would help restore confidence and allow people to come back,” he added.
The injured soldier has been evacuated to NKST Hospital in Jato-Aka for treatment, while efforts are ongoing to locate the missing officer.
When contacted, the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, CSP Catherine Anene, said she had yet to confirm the incident. However, the spokesperson for Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) in Benue, Sgt. James, confirmed the killing of the two soldiers and others in Kwande.
“Our men are on their way back to Makurdi and should arrive by 9 p.m. I don’t want to give incomplete information,” he said Thursday night.
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