Gunmen suspected to be bandits on Thursday night killed at least 30 people in the Ayati community of Ukum local government area of Benue State.
Residents told journalists the herdsmen stormed the community at 11:30 p.m., shot sporadically, and chased the victims into the bush where they were murdered.
The attack is linked to a land dispute between farmers and herdsmen which escalated after security forces burnt the herdsmen’s tents and chased them away.
A former governorship aspirant in the state, Mr. Shima Ayati, confirmed the incident.
He said over 30 corpses had been gathered as of Friday morning with search efforts still ongoing.
Ayati said “We were told that some bandits received money from herdsmen and showed them land belonging to the people in two Council Wards for grazing.
“And as they commenced grazing crisis ensued between the herdsmen and the farmers who cried out to the government.
“And the government dispatched the state security outfit who came and chased the herdsmen away and burnt their tents which got them angry.
“They claimed that the bandits sold the land to them and they went and met the bandits. So the herdsmen and bandits went to the village and carried out a massacre.
“As of this morning over 30 corpses were gathered and they are still searching.
“After burning and scattering the tents of the herdsmen the security outfit left; instead of sleeping there to guard the village.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Catherine Anene, also confirmed the attack.
She, however, promised to provide further details after receiving a briefing from officers on the ground.
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