…Injure Serveral Others as Many Flee Community
Attah Ede Makurdi
Suspected armed Fulani herdsmen, on Tuesday night, launched another bizarre attack on Opaha Community in Edikwu Council Ward 2 of Apa Local government area of Benue State, killing a soldier and fourteen (14) others.
The blood thirsty attackers also injuree many people.
The Network gathered that the armed Fulani herders invaded the community at about 7:20pm of Tuesday and started shooting sporadically till 2am on Wednesday, which resulted in the killings of many innocent people.
A member of the community, Isah Daniel told the Network that so many people have deserted the community as a result of the attack while those injured have been taken to a private clinic in Ugbokpo and Adoka.
“As I am talking to you now we don’t know the location of many people because everyone ran away as the attackers invaded the community at night.
Opaha is then village of Hon. Abu Umoro, House of Assembly Member, representing Apa State Constituency and the Commissioner of Finance Benue State, Hon. David Olofu.
Meanwhile the State Commissioner for Finance, David Olofu who spoke on the phone described the attack as ‘unprovoked’, saying that over 15 people were killed including an army officer.
“Yes, they just went to my community and killed people unprovoked, over 15 people were killed including the commander of OPWS in that area.
“This is a peaceful community where the people don’t look for anybody’s trouble. The attackers went to the community around 4pm, and as am talking to you now the whole communityy has been sacked”, the Finance Commissioner said.
However thePublic Relations Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke, Flight Lt Flogh Oquoh when contacted on the phone told newsmen that the OPWS Operation Whirl Stroke Commander was killed at the scene of the attack.
The Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, SP, Catherine Anene also confirmed the attack.
According to her, details of the attack are still being gathered.
This is the third time communities in Apa LGA would be attacked in the past few weeks.
A similar horrendous attack on Igbobi communityy led to the death of five people.
Last weekend, suspected armed herders killed the Edikwu Council ward chairman of Labour Party in the same local government area, Nathaniel Ochoche.
