Suspected herdsmen kill pregnant woman, husband in Benue

Gunmen, in the early hours of Wednesday, killed a pregnant woman and her husband in Tarkende village near Umenger district headquarters of Guma Local Government Area in Benue State.

Benue/Plateau Chronicles gathered that the gunmen invaded the rural community at about 2:00 a.m. and opened fire on the inhabitants, killing the couple and inflicting injuries on others.

Villagers told our correspondent that they were asleep when the sound of gunshots from various directions rented the air and woke them up from their separate houses.

They said the panic which ensued in the village following the gunshots caused them to flee for safety in different directions during which some people sustained gunshot injuries.

Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Anthony Shawon, also confirmed to our correspondent by telephone that a pregnant woman and her husband were killed while some other villagers sustained injuries.

Shawon alleged that the gunmen were suspected herders who, also during the attack on Tarkende village, abducted another woman, adding that the victim was fortunate to escape along the way and ran for 30km before taking refuge in a nearby village.

“As we speak, Chief of Ujaende village is right here with me begging that the Army should come and at least patrol his vicinity so that they can go to farm. That is the situation in all parts of Guma,” Shawon said.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, said the police had got the report and were on their way to the scene of  the incident. (Daily Trust)