A wave of horror swept across Kwande and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State over the weekend, as ruthless bandits launched deadly attacks on several communities, leaving behind a trail of corpses and destruction.
The attacks, which spanned from Saturday to Sunday, targeted Udedeku community of Maav-Ya, Mkoonmom District, Mbaikyor Council Ward, Turan Jato-Aka, and Ochumekwu in Kwande and Apa LGAs, respectively.
According to eyewitness accounts, the bandits stormed the Udedeku community in Kwande with guns and machetes, slaughtering anyone in their path. The villagers, who were caught off guard, had no chance to escape or defend themselves. The bloodthirsty assailants left no mercy for the young, the old, or the women.
Confirming the incidents, the Force Commander, Operations Whirl Stroke, Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, stated that suspected armed bandits ambushed soldiers deployed in Ochumekwu, Apa LGA, killing one brave soldier and wounding another.
He said, “Suspected armed bandits have attacked soldiers deployed in Ochumekwu, Apa LGA, killed one personnel, and wounded one.
“The troops in response fought valiantly and killed three and injured several of them. They recovered one AK-47 rifle and rounds of ammunition from them.”
Regarding the attack in Kwande, the OPWS Commander mentioned that troops were conducting a clearance operation to flush out suspected armed foreign bandits who invaded the LG.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Catherine Anene, acknowledged the invasion of the forest in Kwande, but stated she had not received reports of any killings. Some locals are said to be also missing at the moment, raising fears of abduction and torture.