A former ward chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), James Akase, and three other persons have been killed in fresh attacks by armed invaders in Benue State, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The attacks, which occurred on Monday, targeted rural communities across two Local Government Areas - Gwer West and Guma - leaving several people injured and many others displaced from their homes.
According to eyewitnesses, Akase, who hailed from Tse-Defam, Mba'akov Vengav in Avihijime Council Ward of Gwer West LGA, was killed when he returned to his abandoned home in search of food for his family. He had previously been forced to flee the area due to persistent attacks in the region.
In Guma LGA, three additional fatalities were reported in coordinated attacks on two separate villages. Local sources identified one of the victims as Bartholomew Ikornya, who was shot dead at Tse Ikpe Ago, located along the Yogbo-Gyungu Aze road in Mbayer/Yandev Council Ward.
The other two victims, Gabriel Korlaga and a man identified only as Kunde, were killed in Tse Kologa village in Mbagune, Nyiev Council Ward.
Victor Ormin, Chairman of Gwer West LGA, confirmed the incidents, describing the repeated attacks as "disturbing." He called on security agencies to enhance surveillance and protection measures in the affected communities.
The latest violence adds to the growing security concerns in Benue State, where rural communities have faced recurring attacks in recent years, resulting in numerous casualties and widespread displacement.
Security authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the identities of the perpetrators or the specific motives behind these latest attacks.
