5 killed, 10 missing in fresh Benue attack

At least five dead bodies were recovered on Tuesday after terrorists allegedly launched a fresh attack on people of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Daily Trust learnt that 10 people were reportedly missing while a search party had been deployed to comb the bushes to find them.

Chairman of Guma LGA, Caleb Aba, told our correspondent on the telephone that the incident happened on Monday evening at Mbagwen community but he was informed on Tuesday afternoon.

Aba said the victims involved timber dealers who went on Monday evening to convey timber they had cut down from the forest in Mbagwen, a community close to Yelewata in Guma.

“The incident happened yesterday (Monday) evening when some commercial timber dealers went to fetch their timber from the forest.

“They (sawyers) have loaded the timber and were on their way back when they were attacked. They were 15 in number.

So far, five corpses have been recovered. Ten other people have not been seen. We don’t know whether they have been killed or taken away. They are being searched for as I speak to you,” the chairman said.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Catherine Anene, however, said she did not have such information, adding that she was attending a workshop outside the state. (Daily Trust)