In a tragic incident, gunmen attacked Naka town, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area in Benue State, early Tuesday morning, killing seven people. The attack occurred around 4 a.m., with the assailants reportedly arriving on bicycles and opening fire on residents who were still asleep.
Naka town, located along the Makurdi-Naka-Adoka-Ankpa federal highway, has a predominantly farming population that has faced repeated attacks by herdsmen over the past 16 years. According to eyewitness Terna Ukaa, the gunmen targeted the residents without taking any items, suggesting their primary intent was to kill.
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Ukaa also mentioned that prior to this attack, armed herdsmen had destroyed farmland in the area, allowing their cattle to graze on crops such as cassava, rice, and millet, further exacerbating the plight of the local farmers.
Benue State Police spokesperson, SP Kate Aneene, stated that she had not yet confirmed the incident but promised to provide updates as more information becomes available. The attack adds to the growing insecurity in the region, where residents have long suffered from violence and destruction of property.
