At least seven people were killed and three others abducted in a violent attack by suspected armed herders on Agbo Vengav Udam community in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State. The assailants stormed the village around 7 p.m. on Thursday, firing indiscriminately and leaving a trail of devastation.
A resident, speaking anonymously, recounted that the attackers entered the community via a border village in Otukpo LGA. “They came through Otukpo’s border village into31 and shot sporadically, killing seven people instantly. They also abducted three others,” the source said. Among the victims was an infant, whose mother was among those kidnapped.
The resident added that five of the bodies were taken to a morgue in Naka, while the families of the other two chose immediate burial. Fearing further attacks, many residents have fled the community.
Gwer West LGA Chairman Victor Ormin confirmed the attack on Friday, expressing frustration over the recurring violence. “Scores were killed in Vengav Udam village on Thursday night,” he said, noting that two critically injured survivors are receiving treatment at a hospital in Naka. Ormin decried the relentless havoc caused by suspected herders, especially following a recent incident where gunmen hijacked two commercial vehicles near Naka and abducted 14 passengers.
Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, for comment were unsuccessful.
