Gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen have attacked Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward of Guma Local Government (LG) Benue State, killing four persons and injuring several others.

The community is the hometown of the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.

It was gathered that the attack occurred on Monday night when the assailants stormed the community at about midnight while residents were asleep. The attackers reportedly broke into homes, killing victims and leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries.

A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said the attackers invaded the village without any provocation.

“They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses.

“Three persons were killed during the attack, while several others sustained injuries. The injured were taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba, but one of them later died, bringing the death toll to four.

“Several people are still missing, and search efforts are ongoing. We hope they will be found alive,” the source said.

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