Thirteen individuals, including women and children, have been confirmed dead in a recent attack by herdsmen on Katsina Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
The armed invaders reportedly assaulted multiple communities, including the Utange council, Kpav, Dikpo, and Imande Gberihwa, on Saturday night.
Multiple residents were reportedly missing, while numerous others fled the affected area to seek refuge in neighboring communities.
According to reports, an anonymous source disclosed that “the violence commenced on Friday, when armed herders invaded communities in Utange council ward, resulting in the loss of several lives.”
“The same attackers, Saturday night, moved to the entire community of Kpav, particularly Dikpo and Imande Gberihwa and killed more people.”
Justine Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, confirmed the attack, stating that 13 people were killed and seven others wounded.
“Several houses were burnt and foodstuffs destroyed.
“There was no provocation but the bandits have been carrying out these kilings over time,” he stated.
Following the killings, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has extended his sympathies to the bereaved families and the affected communities of Kpav, including Dikpo and Imande Gberihwa.
“This level of brutality is deeply troubling and will not be tolerated,” Alia said in a statement on Sunday by his spokesperson, Tersoo Kula.
The Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, CSP Catherine Anene, could not be contacted to verify the incident.
