Many people were reportedly killed in a fresh raid by bandits in Anyiin, Logo Local Government Area, Benue State.
The bandits were alleged to have stormed the town on Wednesday around 6:32 p.m., killing a large number of people.
Several more apparently suffered varied degrees of injury, and several people were reported missing as of the time of reporting this article.
Anyiin is the hometown of Gabriel Suswa, the previous governor of the state.
Joseph Anawah, a community leader from Anyiin, told our correspondent on Thursday that the suspected bandits, who numbered over 20 and were well armed, conducted a three-hour operation.
He said, “Terrorists yesterday, Wednesday, October 30, 2024, unleashed terror on Anyiin town, Logo LGA of Benue State, in an operation that started around 6:32 pm, leaving over 15 people dead, some with injuries, and others missing.”
He also mentioned the son of Tordoo Suswam, the former Chief of Staff to the former Logo local government chairman, and Mr. Uyange Chembe, the younger brother of the late District Head of Ukemberagya, Zaki John Chembe.
Anawah, a former advisor to the state’s former governor, Gabriel Suswam, claimed that the high number of attackers overwhelmed the security forces stationed in the town.
While pointing out that Wednesday’s incident was the second in October, Anawah urged the state government to work with the federal government to ensure utmost security in the area.
When reached, Catherine Anene, the state command’s spokesperson, claimed she had yet to receive a report on the incident.
However, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Security and External Affairs, Alex Igbaya, confirmed the incident but declined to give a casualty figure.
He said, “Security personnel have already been deployed to the area; military men are there.”
