15 Dead After Unidentified Gunmen Carry Out Attacks In 4 Nigerian States; 17 Abducted

A series of attacks carried out by unidentified gunmen in various areas of Nigeria's Benue, Zamfara, Kebbi and Nasarawa States late Tuesday and Wednesday have resulted in the deaths of at least 15 individuals.

Seventeen people have also been abducted in connection with the attacks.

A bunch of armed herdsmen killed nine people and left many others injured in a twin attack against Ayilamo and Mbachohon communities in Logo and Gwer West Local Government Areas of Benue State on Tuesday night.

"The well-armed herdsmen came at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday," an eyewitness shared. "They attacked and killed two persons at the Mobile barracks, situated at Mahanga, near Ayilamo."

"From there, they headed to Ayilamo town and on entering the town, they shot and killed another three persons on the spot," the eyewitness added.

"Many others sustained various degrees of injury and were taken to the hospital, where they are receiving treatment. Some of the cases were so serious that by yesterday, they were referred to Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH in Makurdi," the eyewitness said further.

The eyewitness also disclosed the names of the people who were killed in the attack, including Ayev Jôgunô, Faiga Mwuese Apefan, Msendoo Tertese, James Mhen Iorliam and Orgbee Mnguerorga.

Unidentified gunmen were also responsible for the deaths of two individuals and the abduction of three others in Kebbi State on Wednesday, according to Vanguard.

Apart from these incidents, three people were also kidnapped in the Ago Palace and Isheri areas of Lagos State.

In Zamfara State, three people were killed in the Bagega community of Anka Local Government Area. The state also saw 11 individuals getting abducted.

Meanwhile, a medical doctor named Stephen Angbas was killed by unidentified gunmen in the Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State late Tuesday.

DSP Rahman Nansel, the state's police spokesperson, confirmed this report and said, "Today, on the 17th of October 2023, at approximately 4:00 pm, mobile police operatives received distressing information regarding a fatal assault along the Jangargari-Awe Road," according to Daily Post.

The spokesperson added, "Tragically, the victims were a commercial motorcycle rider, Mikailu Dahiru, who survived the attack, and Dr Angbass Stephen, who succumbed to his grievous injuries."

Hyacinth Alia, executive governor of Benue State, condemned the "unprovoked attacks" carried out by suspected armed herders.

"Governor Alia frowns at the nefarious activities of the herders who maim and kill innocent Benue citizens in cold blood for reasons which are difficult to grasp and pin down," Tersoo Kula, Alia's chief press secretary, said.

"Benue is an agrarian society whose economy is largely based on producing and maintaining crops and farmlands, and we cannot watch our people killed daily on their farmlands and their villages for a cause unknown to us," Kula added.

Alia called on security agencies to "quickly delve into the depths of the unfortunate situations and apprehend those suspected to be behind such attacks and bring them before the law."