Nine people, including a local security operative, were killed on Friday when gunmen believed to be herders attacked two separate villages in Benue State.
The deadly incidents took place in Ayilamo village of Logo LGA and Jato-Acka in Kwande LGA.
Eyewitnesses reported that more than 20 armed men stormed Jato-Acka during the afternoon, firing at residents indiscriminately and killing six on the spot.
The violence didn’t end there. The attackers reportedly advanced to Ayilamo through the Ikyungwa corridor, where they took three more lives.
Among the victims was a personnel of the state’s Livestock Guard, who was on duty during the ambush.
Community representative Tyovenda Igyutu noted that Ayilamo narrowly escaped complete destruction, crediting security forces for their prompt intervention.
In a statement to reporters, local youth leader Lawrence Akerigba said the attackers struck at about 4 p.m., shooting civilians and setting several homes ablaze.
