Bandits have killed 26 persons in renewed attacks on three communities in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attacks, according to locals, occurred between Saturday and Monday, targeting Mbakunwande, Jaora communities, and the Naka-Adoka Road.
Among the victims were six personnel of the state security outfits, including the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards and Livestock Guards, who were deployed to provide security for a family attending a burial when they were ambushed and killed.
Confirming the incident to newsmen on Tuesday, the chairman of Gwer West LGA, Henry Agba, said: “The attack started on Saturday. Six security operatives of the state, comprising Benue Security Community Volunteer Guards and Livestock Guards, were killed.
“They (operatives) escorted the family of a deceased person to a village called Mbakunwande, where they had gone to bury the loved one, and they ambushed them and killed them.
“On Saturday, at about 11 pm, they attacked a community in Jaroa, and 14 people were killed. Also on Monday, they attacked a community along Naka-Adoka Road where the villagers have so far recovered six dead bodies, and many people were injured and receiving treatment at some clinics within the LGA.”
Agba also revealed that the Benue State Police and the state security adviser, Joseph Har, have been notified of the incidents.
He stated that Har visited one of the attack sites on Monday.