Gunmen Kill 10 in Fresh Benue Community Attack

At least 10 people were reportedly killed after armed attackers invaded Saai community in Mbajir Ward, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State in the early hours of Wednesday.

Residents said the gunmen stormed the village after midnight, opened fire on residents, and attacked people with machetes as they fled. Several others were injured, while the death toll is yet to be officially confirmed.

The attack comes just days after the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Muhammad, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, were killed while returning from a police-organized peace meeting.

Katsina-Ala Local Government Chairman, Justine Shaku, confirmed the attack but said six people had been killed, while the Benue State Police Command put the death toll at five.

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attack, describing it as a senseless assault on innocent residents. He directed security agencies to deploy more personnel to the affected communities, hunt down the perpetrators, and strengthen protection for farmers.

In a separate incident, gunmen abducted Rev. Dr. Samuel Gbinde and two members of the NKST Church from the pastor's residence in Guma Local Government Area. The church appealed to security agencies and the government to ensure their safe rescue.

Meanwhile, PDP governorship candidate Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) and Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro condemned the recent violence in Benue State and called on security agencies to investigate the attacks and bring those responsible to justice.

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