Gunmen who attacked Igama, a rural community in Benue state on Sunday morning, killed 37 people, community residents told PREMIUM TIMES.
One survivor, Ambrose Adah, said the attackers raided the community as he and his family prepared for mass.
Igama, an agrarian community, located in the Okpokwu local government area, is 160 kilometers from Makurdi, the capital of Benue state.
“While we were preparing for Sunday morning mass, a large number of pastors on motorcycles invaded our community,” Mr. Adah said.
“Members of our community, mostly women and youth, were killed during the attack.
“Thirty-seven bodies have been recovered so far and are currently being deposited at St Mary’s General Hospital, Okpoga”, the seat of the Okpokwu Local Government.
“My three-bedroom bungalow and other valuables were destroyed by the herders,” Adah revealed in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday.
He added: “Dozens of houses were razed,” while more than 500 residents who were displaced by the attack seek refuge in the Ojigo neighborhood and other neighboring communities.
To prevent further attacks, Adah called on the federal government to station a military base in the area.
Corroborating Mr. Adah’s statement, the federal legislator representing the federal constituencies of Ado, Ogbadibo and Okpokwu, Francis Otta, said Television Channels in a statement that thirty people were killed in the attack on the Igama community.
“Growing up in the 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 into a cesspool of blood,” said the Mr. Ottah in the statement.
“I, therefore, condemn the murder of 30 innocent people, and counting… I have contacted the security agents who have responded appropriately,” said the legislator.
Authorities confirm attack
Amina Audu, chairperson of the Okpokwu local government, confirmed the incident. She, however, said only 12 bodies have been recovered.
She said the attackers devastated the two communities, Igama and Efeche, and hundreds of people have been displaced by the attack.
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“The attack has caused a humanitarian crisis, not only in Igama, but also in Opialu, Ojigo and Utonkon, where the survivors have fled,” Audu told this reporter in a telephone interview on Monday.
The head of the local council said that security operations comprising the police, military and vigilantes are patrolling the affected communities.
Benue State Police spokesman Sewuese Anene confirmed the attack but could not give details of the victims.
In a text message to this reporter, Ms. Sewuese said: “Information about the attack at Okpokwu LGA was received and more teams were mobilized to help the Division on the ground. I have yet to receive details from the team on the ground.”
The state has been under constant deadly attacks allegedly carried out by herders.
In April, 15 people were killed in a night raid in Tior-Tyu, a rural community in Tarka local government. The attack was attributed to the herder militia.
Clashes between nomadic herders and farming communities are rampant in Benue, a largely agrarian state.