The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the murder of a police officer and three others in the Aondona village, the Gwer West local government area, after an attack by alleged armed shepherds.
The Public Relations officer of the State Police, Sp Sewuese Anene, revealed this to journalists on Monday in Makurdi.
She said the attack occurred in the Aondona village and that the officer died while defending residents during the assault.
“The police responded quickly when the incident in Aondona was reported. Three bodies were recovered and an investigation is currently ongoing,” Anene said.
He added that a police officer had previously been killed while defending another village in the same area of ​​the local government only a few hours before Aondona's attack.
Despite the police report, local residents said the attacks covered in four communities, leaving more than 30 people dead, seven wounds and two kidnapped.
According to them, violence has forced many to flee their homes, since such attacks have become a regular event.
In the neighboring local government of Gwer East, the residents of Mablim, who border Aondona, have also fled to the city of Taraku for security.
A local source reported that more than 15 people were killed only in Aondona, seven in Ahume, five in Tyolaha, six in Orbiam, while two people were kidnapped.
The source added that the armed shepherds began their attack in Aondona on Saturday night and the attacks on Monday and other nearby villages continued.