No less than 18 persons including children have been slaughtered by suspected herdsmen in Ukohol and three other neighbouring villages in Guma Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state.
The killings came barely two weeks after over 15 persons were killed in the state.
Locals said the attack occurred on Thursday night when the assailants invaded the community from neighbouring Nasarawa State and opened fire on unsuspecting residents.
Dr. Michael Uba, the chairman of the LGA while confirming the development on Friday, said that 10 persons were killed at the Ukohol market while eight others were murdered in three neighbouring villages.
He the criminal elements invaded the areas and started shooting sporadically, gunning down whoever they came across in the affected villages.
He said that the armed men killed children even those below the ages of two,
“Ten persons were killed in the market while the eight were murdered in the villages when they were running back and trying to flee,” he added.
When contacted, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene who confirmed the development, said she was yet to get details of the incident.
