Gunmen Kill 50 People in Two Separate Attacks In Benue State

Chairman of the Otukpo local government, Ruben Bako, disclosed that gunmen killed at least 50 people in two separate attacks that happened in two days in a north-central Nigerian village.

Gunmen killed three people in Umogidi village located in Benue state and then returned the next day and killed 47 people on Wednesday, as per ThePublicRadio report.

While the motive of the attack was not clear, the authorities said there is some connection between both attacks.

Special Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom told the media that this incident was "very tragic and painful," Punch reported.

"I can confirm to you that there was an attack in Umogidi and as of this morning, the causality figure, from those who were seen physically from what I was told, was 46," he continued. "But the figure may be higher because some people are still reported missing."

Bako also confirmed the attack and said that "these herders killed three people on Tuesday and they (herders) came back on Wednesday at about 4.15 pm and killed 46 people, including my own son, who was 32 years old. We just buried him and some other persons are still missing."

The chairman of the Otukpo local government also shared that her immediate younger sister's husband and her son were also killed in this incident.

A resident of the village named Sunny narrated what happened on Wednesday while they were still mourning Tuesday's tragic incident.

"We were still mourning the death of the three people killed on Tuesday by these herders when we started hearing gunshots from different angles leading to the death of several people," Sunny said.

Catherine Anene, the spokesperson for the state police, revealed that eight corpses have been recovered so far including a police officer.

"Attack on Umogidi community is confirmed. Eight corpses have been recovered, including a police officer," Anene said. "More police teams have been deployed to the area to forestall further breakdown of law and order."

This is not the first time when the herders attacked the farmers. There have been reports of more than 60 people being killed in similar attacks in several villages last month.

Considering the month of April, the first attack happened on April 1 in Ikobi and Apa where seven people were killed. Apa County resident named Ojo claimed that the Christian community is under attack by Fulani herdsmen, adding that Ikobi village is a Christian community.

Another resident named Edward Lucky said on Wednesday, "Christian villages in Apa Local Government Area are under attack. Many Christians have been displaced by the armed herdsmen, " ChristianHeadlines reported. "These attacks have forced Christians to abandon their farms. There has been no government intervention in order to stem these attacks."