A retired army officer and 15 others were reportedly killed by suspected armed herdsmen on Thursday evening attack on Wandor, Mbaikyor community in the Mbalom Council Ward of Gwer East Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State.
Nigeriacrime.com learned that the invaders were also reported to have razed over 50 houses, huts, farmlands and food barns in 11 settlements in the attack.
The latest attack came about six years after a similar attack by armed herdsmen on St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ukpor Parish, Mbalom Gwer East LGA claimed the lives of two Catholic priests and 17 parishioners.
A survivor of the attack who spoke on condition of anonymity said the well-armed marauders numbering about 40 stormed the community at about 7 pm and opened fire on the locals who were taken unawares.
He said: “They came through Mbasombo into our village. There is a Fulani settlement close to the boundary between Ihyravye and Ayar. We know the Alhaji who has caused this because we had earlier arrested three of his boys and handed them over to the Police at Aliade. It was documented. But the boys were later released.
“It is that Alhaji that is operating in this axis. A retired military officer who was following up on the case, MWO Mbatsavbun Gbatar (retd.) who is the community security adviser who reported the case was among those killed.
“They took us by surprise. They came numbering over 40 at about 7 pm, some had guns and others cutlasses. The operation lasted for over three hours. As I am talking to you now over 50 houses have been burnt.”
Continuing, he said “Immediately they came and started shooting I put a call through to someone and asked him to tell the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of what was happening. If we had immediate interventions, they probably wouldn’t have set the houses ablaze. One of the victims was burnt alive in a house, we had to wrap him up and take him out of his house.”
According to him, among the communities razed by the marauders were Tse-Agernor, Tse-Najime, Tse-Wandor, Wandor Market Square, Tse-Ate, Tse-Anyol, Tse-Abagi, Tse-Ifian, Tse- Ukombor, Tse- Girgi Akwaya, Tse- Tion Ukpa and Tse- Abuur.
Confirming the development, the Caretaker Chairman of Gwer East LGA, Mrs. Comfort Agbo said “At the moment there is relative peace in Wandor community. 16 bodies have so far been recovered. Two were injured and are receiving treatment.
“Those who attacked and killed my people are suspected armed herdsmen. The security operatives are currently moving the bodies to the mortuary.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene who confirmed the development said the Police Commissioner was on his way to the scene of the attack for an on-the-spot assessment.
The Benue State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode was said to have also led a delegation to the community.