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Suspected herdsmen attacked the Azege settlement in Mbaya, Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, killing 13 people in an early morning assault on Sunday.
The attack, which occurred around 7 a.m., left several others injured and resulted in extensive destruction of farmlands and crops.
Eyewitnesses who spoke with The Nation described the scene as harrowing, with the community grappling with the loss of lives and livelihoods.
Azege, the hometown of Hon. Benjamin Uzenda, the immediate past Caretaker Chairman of Logo Local Government, has reportedly faced repeated assaults in recent months.
Confirming the attack to The Nation, Uzenda revealed that herdsmen had previously attempted to overrun the community twice in the past two months.
Uzenda said, “This is not the first time herdsmen have tried to invade Azege.
“We’ve seen repeated attempts to overrun the settlement, but this morning’s attack was particularly devastating, with 13 lives lost and farmlands destroyed.”
Residents of Azege lamented the destruction of crops, noting that the attack would exacerbate food insecurity in the area, as farming is the primary occupation of the community.
Hon.Uzenda said, “They were armed with sophisticated weapons and immediately opened fire on residents who were preparing to attend morning church service.
“It looks like a coordinated plan of attacks as they open fire on the harmless villages, butcher some bodies after shooting them, and gun down women and children.
“The Invaders operated for houses and fled before security personnel arrived at the scene of the incident.”
At press time, many residents have deserted the area for fear of the unknown.
Azege settlement is a 30-minute drive away from Ayilamo, the headquarters of Tombo ward, which has also been under several bloody attacks and killings.
It was gathered that at the Ayilamo PHC, some of the wounded from the gunshot were conveyed in for treatment.
Chairman of the Council, Hon Clement, was said to have made arrangements to visit the scene of the incident.
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