Bandits have launched attacks on nine communities in the Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, resulting in numerous deaths and the destruction of homes.
According to reports, the affected communities have been left deserted as surviving residents flee for safety following the recent wave of violence.
While some locals estimate the death toll at 25, the representative of the area in the state Assembly, Abu Umoru, stated that he has lost count of the casualties.
Umoru disclosed that approximately 95% of communities in the local government area have been displaced due to the incessant attacks.
He lamented the dire situation, mentioning specific communities like Edikpo, Opaha, Odugbo, Akpete, Ikobi, Akpata, Idiaha, Ochumekwu, and Adiga, where residents have been forced to flee their ancestral homes.
The lawmaker described the bandits’ actions as brutal, noting that they have been setting houses on fire and ambushing residents, resulting in daily casualties ranging from one to five individuals.
Expressing his frustration, Umoru revealed that the crisis has taken a toll on his health, requiring him to seek medical attention.
Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Command for comments were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson, Catherine Anene, stated that there were no official reports on the attacks.
Similarly, attempts to obtain a response from the state government, particularly from Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Special Adviser on Security, Joseph Har, were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered.
