Suspected herdsmen invade Ortom’s hometown, kill four, injure many

Armed individuals suspected of being herdsmen invaded Abaushwa community in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, on Monday night. The attack, which occurred in the hometown of former governor Samuel Ortom, resulted in the deaths of four people and left several others injured. Residents reported that the assailants entered the village around midnight, attacking homes and killing victims in their sleep.

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They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses.

A community source described the invasion as unprovoked, stating, "They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses." Initially, three people were reported killed during the attack, with several others sustaining injuries. One of the injured later died at the General Hospital in Gbajimba, bringing the total death toll to four. Several individuals remain missing, and search efforts are underway.

Dr. Frank Kyungun, a native of the area and former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board, visited the community with former Governor Ortom and other prominent indigenes. He condemned the incident as "unprovoked and barbaric." Kyungun noted that the community had long sought to avoid conflict, even refraining from consuming or selling beef to prevent clashes, and had shown restraint when their farmlands were damaged by grazing cattle. "We cannot understand why innocent people should be killed without any provocation. It is a sad and painful development," he stated.

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It was an unprovoked attack by armed herdsmen. They came at about midnight and launched a heavy assault on the community. They killed four people and left several others injured.

The Chairman of Guma LGA, Morris Orwough, also denounced the attack, calling it "heartbreaking and unacceptable." He extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished a swift recovery to the injured. Security personnel have been deployed to Abaushwa to restore peace and prevent further attacks. The Council Chairman urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing information to aid in tackling insecurity in the region.

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We cannot understand why innocent people should be killed without any provocation. It is a sad and painful development.

The Benue State Police Command confirmed the attack and the deaths of four individuals. DSP Peter Aondona, the Police Public Relations Officer, stated, "I can confirm that there was an attack in Guma LGA in which four persons were killed by su-."

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I can confirm that there was an attack in Guma LGA in which four persons were killed by su-.