From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen, have reportedly attacked a commercial bus belonging to Benue State transport company (Benue Link), killing three persons.
The gunmen also injuried several others at Tyolaha community in Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.
The armed men equally attacked a motor truck conveying goods to the South-West and other commercial motorcycle operators on same spots, leaving so many people missing and valuables unaccounted for.
A Benue Link driver who spoke to journalists in Makurdi, on condition of anonymity, explained that the vehicle which is an 18-seater bus was yesterday at about 6pm conveying passengers from Makurdi to Otukpo through Naka in Gwer West LGA when they ran into an ambush by the heavily armed herders.
” Just on Thursday, we ran into these terrorists about same time but, we were lucky that the soldiers stationed around Naka town got information on time and came to chase them away. Today, they came back to same spot to unleash terror on people.
“Immediately the heavily armed Fulani Herdsmen, who have been terrorising that part of the state ambushed the vehicle including two okada riders and a truck driver around Tyolaha community, they opened fire on them.
“The truck driver was lucky, he saw them early enough and jumped into the bush but his assistant was not so lucky and was captured.
“We learnt three persons including the okada riders were killed, some sustained injuries while some have been declared missing.
“The attack on travellers on that particular axis has become a regular occurrence. Several road users have suffered attacks on that road including the Naka DPO who also lost his life there earlier in the year.
“We are appealing to the Federal Government to do something about the state of federal roads connecting Benue state and the South Eastern part of the country particularly those linking Otukpo. They are all in a sorry state and travellers on the roads are no longer safe.
Confirming the incident, Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer, SP, Catherine Anene said the victims “were driving towards Naka around 8pm when some armed men came out of the bush and attacked their bus.
According to her, three people were injured, and there was intervention so the gunmen could not kill the occupants of the bus instantly as they intended to.
She however said only one life was lost in the incident, while those injured have been taken to the hospital for treatment.
She added that investigation into the dastardly act has commenced.