The source said that during the roughly hour-long raid, armed herders collaborated with local bandits from the Ayongu-led gang.
In a late-night raid on the Ayati hamlet in Benue state’s Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), suspected local bandits with the help of armed herders were thought to have killed at least thirty people.
According to reports, the raiders attacked the neighborhood on Thursday night at around 11:30 p.m., after everyone had gone to bed. They killed the majority of the victims inside their houses, pursuing the few who were able to flee into the nearby bush where they executed them.
The source said that during the roughly hour-long raid, armed herders collaborated with local bandits from the Ayongu-led gang.
Confirming the development, a former governorship aspirant from the area, Mr. Shima Ayati said: “We were told that some bandits received money from herdsmen and showed them land belonging to the people in two Council Wards for grazing.
“And as they commenced grazing crisis ensued between the herdsmen and the farmers who cried out to the government.
And the government dispatched the state security outfit who came and chased the herdsmen away and burnt their tents which got them angry.
“They claimed that the bandits sold the land to them and they went and met the bandits. So the herdsmen and bandits went to the village and carried out a massacre.
“As of this morning over 30 corpses were gathered and they are still searching.
“After burning and scattering the tents of the herdsmen the security outfit left; instead of sleeping there to guard the village.”
Confirming the development in a text, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene said “I’m aware there was an attack and I’m waiting for briefing from officers on ground please.”