Please, viewer discretion is highly advised on the pictures below the story!
By Amos Aar
SOME yet to be identified gunmen on Sunday morning reportedly invaded and killed about thirteen people in Igama Community in Edumoga-Ehaje of Okpokwu local government area of Benue State.
Police confirmed the attack when contacted as at 6pm on Sunday, June 12th, 2022.
According to the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Sewuese Anene, “information about the attack was received and more officers sent to assist Okpokwu Division in managing this. I am yet to receive details”.
There was no update from the State Command through the PPRO up till the time of filing this report on 13th June, 2022 in the afternoon.
Mr Moses Adikwu, the Acting Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Deputy Governor, Engr. Benson Abounu, told National Record correspondent Monday afternoon via phone call that he and his boss were yet to receive details of the attack and so could not give the exact number of casualties and who the killers were.
National Record gathered that the gunmen stormed Igama on motorcycles in the early hours of Sunday when inhabitants of the rural community were preparing to go to church and killed on sight about 13 people, many others wounded and set on fire several houses.
Efforts to reach Mr Nathaniel Ikyur, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom proved futile as he did not answer the phone call put to him by our correspondent Monday afternoon.
Men of the Divisional Police headquarters in Okpoga, the headquarters of Okpokwu LGA, were said to have recovered the bodies of the casualties since yesterday evening and taken the wounded to nearby medical facilities.
National Record also gathered that hundreds of survivors from Igama Village, and residents of many other neighbouring villages, have fled and are taking refuge in Ojapo Community, a fairly large Edumoga-Ehaje community very close to the headquarters of Okpokwu LGA.
Our correspondent also gathered that at the moment, Ojapo is facing a refugee crisis with the influx of survivors due to shortage of social amenities and basic needs like food, good drinking water and accommodation.
One of the Igama residents whose relative was killed in the attack while speaking with National Record through phone on condition of anonymity expressed shock that the Benue State Government and the police authorities showed little or no concern over the gruesome killings.
The resident wondered why over twenty-four hours after the attack and slaughter, the Benue State Government was yet to visit the scene or sent a delegation to the community or even the local government council.
Viewer discretion is highly advised to view pictures of those killed by the gunmen!
