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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Gunmen kill traditional ruler, wife, son, two others in Benue

From The Punch · (Apr 24) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Gunmen killed five people, including a traditional ruler, his wife, and son, in Benue State on Thursday night.
  • The assailants attacked the ruler's residence and then moved to a neighboring house, killing two more people.
  • A local source indicated the attackers spoke the local dialect, suggesting they were not Fulani, while authorities are investigating.

A brutal attack in Olegabulu community, Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, has left five people dead, including a traditional ruler, his wife, and son. The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, has sent shockwaves through the region, highlighting the persistent security challenges faced by communities in Nigeria.

The assailants were not Fulani because, at the time they alighted from their motorcycles, they exchanged pleasantries with people around in our dialect.

— Local sourceProviding details about the attackers' language, suggesting they may not be Fulani.

The assailants, numbering four and arriving on two motorcycles, stormed the traditional ruler's residence around 8 pm. Their actions were swift and deadly, first targeting the ruler and two family members before moving on to a neighboring house where they killed two more individuals. The violence extended for nearly 20 minutes, leaving one person injured before the attackers fled.

So, nobody envisaged they were enemies, but as soon as they entered the traditional ruler’s house and opened fire, everyone scampered for safety.

— Local sourceDescribing the suddenness and shock of the attack.

Adding a layer of complexity to the investigation, a local source noted that the assailants exchanged pleasantries in the local dialect upon arrival. This detail has led to speculation that the attackers may not have been Fulani herders, a group often implicated in similar attacks in the region. The source's anonymity was requested, underscoring the tense security situation.

The assailants operated for almost 20 minutes. After attacking the traditional ruler’s residence, they moved to the next house and killed two people.

— Local sourceDetailing the duration and scope of the attack.

Local government chairman Melvin Ejeh confirmed the tragic loss of five lives and one injury, stating that police had visited the scene. However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, indicated she was still awaiting official confirmation of the incident. The conflicting initial reports and the nature of the attack underscore the challenges faced by security agencies in gathering accurate information and bringing perpetrators to justice in such volatile environments.

It’s true the incident happened. Five people were killed and one person injured during the attack.

— Melvin EjehChairman of the local government, confirming the casualties.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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