Suspected armed herdsmen on Tuesday killed six people including three personnel of the State Community Volunteers Guards and a hunter in Guma local government area of Benue State.
It was gathered that the incident which happened between Ortese and Ngban villages also claimed the lives of two people.
A native of the community, who simply identified himself as Dave, told our correspondent on the phone on Wednesday that six people including three members of the State Volunteer Guards were killed by suspected herders.
But the Security Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom, Lt Col. Paul Hemba in a telephone chat on Wednesday confirmed that three members of the State Volunteer Guards and a hunter who were on a joint patrol with Policemen were killed.
According to the Security Adviser, “Three members of Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, and a hunter were killed yesterday (Tuesday) by suspected bandits while on a joint patrol with policemen.
“They were ambushed by armed herdsmen between Ortese and Ngban villages.”
He gave the identity of the victims to include; Sunday Ingbe, Timothy Ibawa from Nyiev Council ward and Asema Aondowase from Mbadwem Council ward all in Guma LGA.
The Security Adviser further disclosed that “the corpse of one Hunter has also been recovered alongside the bodies of the Volunteers Guards members”, adding that the armed herders went away with weapons and handsets belonging to the deceased.
“They (armed herders) have been calling to claim that the government in the state promised to give them land in the area to settle and graze,” Hemba said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for the State Command, Catherine Anene, a Superintendent of Police said she was yet to receive the report.
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