Bandits kill family of six, others in attack on Benue community

• Published date: 21 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

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Bandits on Thursday attacked Abagana community opposite the Internally Displaced Persons camp located along Makurdi/Laafia road in Benue State.

In another attack, 13 people were also abducted in Taraba and Nasarawa communities.

Reports said the bandits arrived Benue community at about 9 pm, shot sporadically, and killed eight people including a man and his wife, as well as their four children. 'Last night (Thursday) at about 2100hrs suspected bandits invaded Abagana community opposite the IDP camp and killed many people.

'Eight corpses, including women and children, have been recovered and another eight people were seriously injured. They have been evacuated to the hospital for treatment.

'Some of the bodies were beheaded and the heads were taken away. A man with his wife and four children were all wiped out in the attack,' a source from the community said.

The Security Adviser to the governor of Benue State, Lt.Col Paul Hemba, while confirming the report, said that the attack was unprovoked as the villagers were already set to go to bed when the community was invaded.

The governor's aide said those killed in the attack include: Gbashaor Acho, Gbashaor Joseph, Anshe Dekera, Ancho Kpor, Eunice Gbashaor, Sewuese Gbashaor, Terlumun Ajah, Emberga Gbashaor, and Donald Gbashaor.

He expressed fears that the casualty could be more.

He added that two of those killed were IDPs while the bandits stole two motorcycles belonging to the villagers.

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State, Wale Abass, confirmed the attack and said he was at the scene of the incident.

About two years ago when the community was invaded by bandits, seven people were killed.

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