By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
Tension has heightened in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State following the killing of two young men and a separate attack on vigilante members by suspected armed herders on Sunday evening.
Local sources said that the victims were ambushed and gunned down by the assailants while returning from the Daudu market along the Ukpiam-Umenger Road in Guma LGA.
In a separate but related incident, armed men believed to be herders also reportedly attacked vigilante members in Udei, Nyiev Council Ward of the same Guma LGA, later on Sunday afternoon.
But no casualties were recorded in that attack.
Local sources however said that the two young men shot by the armed herders were going back to their villages after attending the popular market in Daudu along Makurdi – Lafia road when they were killed and their bodies were later recovered by security forces.
The deceased were identified as youths from Tse Anhar and Torkula Ugondu, both in Mbadwem Council Ward.
“This is becoming unbearable. The herders now lie in wait for unsuspecting travelers. It’s the same route where a farmer was beheaded just days ago,” a resident, who preferred anonymity lamented over the phone.
He added that Ukpiam, the headquarters of Mbabai district, has become a hotspot for the armed invaders, who now unleash terror on commuters and villagers alike.
Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, for confirmation and comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to her phone went unanswered at the time of filing this report.
