Many feared dead as catechist and 5 others were murdered as suspected herdsmen raided Benue communities

In Benue State, suspected armed herdsmen have murdered six people in three communities.

The attacks were launched separately in 3 different communities which include, Hirnyam, and Ortom villages in Guma LGA and Oshigbudu community in Agatu LGA between Friday and Saturday, May 6, 2023.

According to reports, two separate attacks in Guma claimed the lives of five individuals, including Daniel Moji, the catechist for Udei Parish in the Udei Deanery, and one person was slain in the Agatu neighborhood.

The wife of the deceased Catechist who was critically hacked by the herdsmen during the attack is currently receiving treatment in an unidentified hospital.

The Security Adviser of Guma LGA, Christopher Waku, confirmed the incident that happened at Hirnyam and Ortom villages, disclosing to newsmen on behalf of the council chairman, Mike Aba on Sunday, said that five people were murdered in the two attacks.

In his words, he said;

“It is true that some armed herdsmen attacked two communities in our local government on Friday and Saturday. Four people were killed including a Catechist in Hirnyam village on Friday while one person was killed in Ortom’s village near Gbajimg. Catechist and five others were killed as suspected herdsmen attack the Benue communities headquarters of Guma LGA”.

The head of the council, Joseph Ngbede, also confirmed the attack in an interview with newsmen on Sunday.

Ngbede said,