Three persons have been confirmed dead while another sustained injuries following coordinated attacks by suspected bandits across Buruku, Okokolo and Naka Local Government Areas of Benue State on Thursday.
In one of the incidents, Mbakura Mbagen community in Buruku LGA was invaded in the early hours of the morning.
Reports indicate that about five armed men stormed the village around 3:30 a.m., killing two members of the state’s Civil Protection Guards, identified as John Kunde and Sughter Orbunde.
During the raid, the attackers also kidnapped Aondowase Ager and carted away a Bajaj motorcycle owned by one of the victims.
The remains of the slain guards were later deposited at the mortuary in Ugbema, as security efforts intensified to rescue the abducted victim.
Also on Thursday morning, Ejima community in Okokolo LGA came under attack at about 6:00 a.m. when suspected armed herders opened fire indiscriminately.
The shooting left one resident, Daniel Matthew, with gunshot wounds. Security operatives were subsequently deployed to the area and surrounding locations to track down the assailants and avert further violence.
A third attack was recorded later in the day at Ammuneke village in Naka LGA. Two young men, Akula Gugun, 27, and Odi Shimayoho, 28, were killed during the assault.
Their bodies were evacuated to the Agagbe morgue, while security agencies launched searches in nearby bushes in pursuit of those responsible.
Meanwhile, a resident of Usen village in Buruku LGA, identified as Benjamin Terver Awuna, has been taken into custody over alleged collaboration with armed herders.
Preliminary findings suggest that the suspect received airtime valued at N6,000, which he allegedly used as compensation for supplying information to aid attacks on local communities. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
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