According to an eyewitness, the Fulani mercenaries in the early hours of Thursday invaded Akough village in Guma Local Government Area of the state and razed Akough market, where some persons were also killed and some sustaining injuries.
Police authorities in the state however said that the command learnt of the death of only four people.
But the eyewitness said, “they attacked the village at the bank of River Benue, which borders both Benue and Nasarawa states shooting sporadically and burning down houses and huts.
“From there, they moved to Akough market, with their arrival causing a stampede and in the midst of the confusion they opened fire on those they found at the market, killing and maiming their victims.
“At the end of the operation, which lasted several hours, over 17 persons were killed while many sustained injuries.
“The armed herdsmen did not stop there, they went further to set the market ablaze after which they bolted and moved back to Nasarawa State.
“But as they left, they took one of the natives captive, and since then, they’ve been using the mobile phone of their captive to communicate with the community, threatening to stage another round of bloody attack on the community in no distant time.
“As I speak with you, people are moving out from the community in droves for fear of being caught in a fresh onslaught.
“At the moment, hundreds of people, who are fleeing the village have taken refuge in Gbajimba, the local government headquarters and the situation is a sorry sight,” he stated.
Although the chairman of the council, Mr Usa Adii could not be reached but the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Daniel Ezeala, said the police had beefed up security in the community, adding, however, that the command had recorded only four deaths in the attack.
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