At least 15 people were reportedly killed in a renewed attack by gunmen suspected to be armed herders in Anyiin, situated in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The assailants invaded the town on Wednesday at approximately 6:32 PM, resulting in multiple fatalities. Several others sustained varying degrees of injury, while many remain unaccounted for at the time of this report.
Anyiin is the hometown of former governor Gabriel Suswam. Community leader Joseph Anawah, speaking to our correspondent on Thursday, indicated that over 20 heavily armed individuals carried out the three-hour attack.
“Fulani militia terrorists unleashed terror on Anyiin town on Wednesday, 30 October 2024, starting around 6:32 PM. The assault left more than 15 people dead, with others injured and some still missing,” Anawah stated.
Among the victims identified by Anawah were retired Primary School Supervisor Orihundu Ati, the son of the Kindred Head of Mbawuave, Zaki Mbatern, the son of a former Chief of Staff to the ex-chairman of Logo Local Government, Tordoo Suswam, and the son of Mr Uyange Chembe, the younger brother of the late District Head of Ukemberagya, Zaki John Chembe.
Anawah, a former aide to Suswam, noted that the large number of attackers overwhelmed the local security forces.
He mentioned that this incident marked the second attack in October and urged the state government to collaborate with the Federal Government to enhance security in vulnerable areas.
When contacted, police spokesperson Catherine Anene stated she had not yet received a report regarding the incident.
Meanwhile, Col. Alex Igbaya (retd.), the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security and External Affairs, confirmed the attack but refrained from providing casualty figures. He noted that security personnel, including military forces, have been deployed to the area.
