At least 15 people have been reportedly killed in a renewed armed herdsmen attack on Anyiin, a community in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Several others sustained injuries, while many family members are still searching for loved ones who went missing during the assault.
This tragic incident, which took place Wednesday evening around 6:30 pm, comes just three weeks after a similar attack in Ayilamo, the administrative seat of Tombo Council Ward in the same LGA, which left scores dead.
Residents of the area are once again gripped by fear, with many now fleeing the community, fearing further violence.
A respected leader in the area, Chief Joseph Anawa, described the attack, “Militia herdsmen Wednesday unleashed terror on Anyiin town Logo LGA of Benue State in an operation that started about 6:32 pm, leaving over 15 people dead and some with various degrees of injuries while others are missing.”
He further revealed that among those killed were prominent members of the community, including Mr. Orihundu Ati, a retired Primary School Supervisor; the son of Zaki Mbatern, the Kindred Head of Mbawuave; the son of Tordoo Suswam, a former Chief of Staff to a previous Logo LG Chairman; and the son of Mr. Uyange Chembe, the younger brother of the late District Head of Ukemberagya, Zaki John Chembe.
Chief Anawa elaborated on the intensity of the attack, stating that “the attackers who were numbering over 200 were heavily armed with dangerous weapons such as AK47 among other sophisticated guns. They raided the town in an operation that lasted about three hours.”
The assailants reportedly arrived unexpectedly, surrounding the town and firing into the air, which sent residents into a panic.
As people attempted to flee, they were met with an ambush by the attackers.
Anyiin, the administrative center of Gaambe-Tiev, is home to many Gaambe-Tiev natives and is also a sanctuary for displaced people from nearby communities such as Ukemberagya, Tswarev, Mbawar, Gov, Mbainange, and Tombo, who were previously uprooted by herdsmen attacks.
Anawa expressed frustration that the attack was so successful due to the attackers’ overwhelming numbers and the lack of sufficient security forces in the area.
Anawa called on both the federal and state governments to revisit the abandoned Mobile Police Barracks project near Anyiin along the Akwana-Anyiin-Wukari road to enhance security in the troubled region.
While the Council Chairman of Logo LGA could not be reached, the immediate past Caretaker Chairman, Mr. Benjamin Uzenda, and a former Local Councillor, Mr. Jonathan Tyonongo, confirmed the assault, condemning it as completely unprovoked.
Meanwhile, The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Police, Catherine Anene, verified the incident but noted that more details were yet to be available.
“No details at the moment. More information will be communicated to you as I receive it, please,” she stated.
