At least five people were feared dead in a new attack on the Anter Mbalagh community on the outskirts of Makurdi, the Benue state capital, by suspected armed herdsmen.

According to reports, some people were seriously injured in the attack, and many others fled their homes in search of a safer haven in neighboring communities for fear of being killed by the marauders.

According to a local source, the attackers stormed the village yesterday and began shooting sporadically, forcing the residents to flee, and anyone caught up with was murdered.

According to the source, three of the victims had already been buried, while the search for the remains of two others was ongoing. Terkimbir Orbakpa, Kpungu Orbakpa, Ave Usaar, Aondogu Aku, and Temanenge Kyer were among those feared dead in the attack.

“The attack was unprovoked; the armed herders stormed the community late at night around 12:30am and started shooting,” he said. People fled in fear of their lives. Three corpses were discovered and buried on Tuesday morning, and two others, whom they must have killed in the bush, have not been seen, but the search for their bodies continues because if they were alive, they would have been seen.”

Colonel Paul Hemba (ret. ), the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, confirmed the development and stated that two people were killed in the attack.

Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer, said she had yet to receive details about the incident.