Bandits kill 19 in Benue, throw 16 dead bodies into river Benue

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Gunmen suspected to be armed bandits have attacked some communities in Kwande Local Government Area, killing 19 persons.

Our correspondent gathered that the attack started on Saturday, February 15, 2025, with 16 farmers killed and their bodies thrown to River Katsina Ala.

A local from Kwande Community who didn’t want to be named for fear of being attacked said the framers were from Mbandwa ward in Kwande LGA.

He said, “The farmers were returning to their community in Mbandwa ward when they were ambushed along Kashimbila road and killed.

“Their bodies were dropped in River Katsina Ala.”

It was also gathered that three persons were killed in another attack on Monday afternoon, January 17, 2024 at Boaguwa in Kumakua council ward in same Kwande was said to have claimed three lives.

The local also told newsmen that the area is deserted as residents of the communities have fled to Jato Aka for safety.

The President General of Mzough U Tiv worldwide and leader of the three socio cultural groups; (Mzough U Tiv, Opiatoha K’idoma and Ominy’Igede, CP. Iorbee Ihagh rtd, confirmed the attack saying all the six council wards in Turan have been deserted.

Ihagh, a retirement Comptroller of Prisons, a native of Kwande, who spoke from Jato Aka on Monday evening said the 16 farmers were killed on Saturday and their bodies thrown into River Katsina Ala.

He said, “I’m right now in Jato Aka. I was told that 16 farmers were killed along Kashimbila road at the weekend and their bodies thrown into River Katsina Ala.

“As am talking to you now, armed herders have attacked Boaguwa in Kumakua council ward, three dead bodies have been recovered.

“People have fled their communities and ran to Jato Aka, I doubt if this place (Jato Aka) is safe right now.

Ihagh who claimed that all the six council wards in Turan in Kwande LGA have been over run by suspected armed herders appealed to President Bola Tinubu to deploy more troops to the local government.

As at the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO Benue Command, CSP Catherine Anene promise to return calls made to her phone.