Gunmen kill 37 in attack on rural community in Benue

Gunmen ,who attacked Igama, a rural community in Benue State on Sunday morning, killed 37, residents of the community told PREMIUM TIMES.

A survivor, Ambrose Adah, said the attackers raided the community while he and his family were preparing for Mass.

Igama, an agrarian community, located in Okpokwu Local Government area, is 160 kilometres from Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

“While we were preparing for the early morning Mass on Sunday, herdsmen in large numbers riding on motorbikes, invaded our community,” Mr Adah said.

“Members of our community mostly women and youths were killed during the attack.

“So far 37 corpses have been recovered and presently deposited at St Mary’s General Hospital, Okpoga,” the headquarters of Okpokwu Local Government.

“My three-bedroom bungalow and other valuables were destroyed by the herdsmen,” Mr Adah disclosed in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday.

He added: “Dozens of houses were razed to the ground,” while over 500 hundred residents who were displaced by the attack are seeking shelter at Ojigo ward, and other neighbouring communities.

To forestall further attacks, Mr Adah appealed to the federal government to station a military base in the area.

Corroborating Mr Adah’s claim, the federal lawmaker representing Ado, Ogbadibo and Okpokwu federal constituency, Francis Otta, told Channels Television in a statement that thirty persons were killed in the attack on the Igama community.

“Growing up in Utonkon District of Ado LGA, I knew Igama in Ojigo Ward of Okpokwu LGA as one of the most peaceful communities in Benue South until recently when terrorists turned it to a cesspool of blood,” Mr Ottah was quoted to have said in the statement.

“I, therefore, condemn the killing of 30 innocent people, and still counting… I have contacted security agents who have responded appropriately,” the lawmaker said.