Benue State — Christmas Day turned into a day of mourning for the residents of Kwande Local Government Area (LGA) in Benue State, as gunmen suspected to be herdsmen and Jukum militia launched a brutal attack on several communities, leaving at least 11 people dead and many others missing.

The invaders struck shortly after the residents returned home from their Christmas Day church service and were preparing for the day’s celebrations.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers stormed the communities, shooting sporadically and chasing the residents.

Solomon Amande, a former aide to the immediate past Governor of the state and a native of one of the affected communities, confirmed the tragic incident. “I was briefed about what happened.

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I was told that given the relative peace for some time now in the communities, the people who had deserted their homes due to the activities of armed herdsmen decided to go back home and reside in their communities,” he said.

Amande recounted the harrowing details of the attack. “They settled in their communities and went about their normal activities. Unfortunately, yesterday being Christmas Day, they went to church, and after returning home from the service, families were preparing meals, some were gathering and relaxing at spots to celebrate Christmas when a combined team of armed herdsmen and Jukum militia started attacking from five different places.

They were chasing people and shooting sporadically, and whoever they caught up with was killed. They did that till they got to Government Secondary School, Anwase.”

He added, “They killed about 10 people at Anwase in Mbaikyor Council Ward of Turan. And they also killed one person at Iyaav Council Ward, which is my Council Ward, around Tse Jam River Crossing.

They carried out the killings in communities at the foot of the mountain. It was indeed a sad Christmas for our people.”

The matter has been reported to the police, and a combined team of military personnel and police stationed at Jato-Aka, the immediate town, is expected to be on the ground.

The recently launched state security team is also anticipated to respond to the crisis-prone area.

Chief Iorbee Ihagh, President of Mzough U Tiv (MUT) worldwide and a native of Moon Council Ward, another deserted community in the LGA, confirmed that apart from the 11 dead victims, many others were reported missing and unaccounted for after the attack. ”

The leaders of the affected communities have already reported the incident at the police station,” he said.

When contacted, the Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, Chief Joseph Har, said he was informed of the incident but could not provide further details.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Catherine Anene, stated that she was yet to receive a report of the incident.

The tragic attack has left the affected communities in shock and mourning, as they grapple with the loss of loved ones and the uncertainty of those still missing.

The residents are calling for increased security measures to protect innocent civilians from such heinous acts and to prevent future attacks.