BY PETER DURU

MAKURDI- NO fewer than eight persons including two soldiers serving with the 72 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Makurdi were feared dead while others were injured during  a bloody attack on Udei community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State by unknown gunmen.

The death of the soldiers was confirmed when the Benue State Deputy Governor, Chief Steven Lawani, led a delegation of government officials to the trouble spot.

Soldiers drafted to the volatile community to maintain the peace disclosed that their colleagues were killed by the rampaging gunmen who attacked the community.

However, the community had been embroiled in skirmishes with some Fulani herdsman in the area in the past.
The community was alleged to have been overrun by the attackers while the natives fled to Makurdi, the state capital.

A victim of the attack, Terlumun Igba, told Vanguard in Makurdi that the assailants had stormed their community in the early hours of Monday, shooting and maiming the residents as well as burning down houses, economic trees and farmlands.

“They stormed our villages, shooting and destroying everything on sight”. So many were injured but at least six persons were killed”, Igba added.

He also explained that the natives could not identify the attackers because the invasion was in the morning.

Meanwhile the Benue State Government has condemned attack on Udei community, describing it as barbaric and unfortunate.

A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Hinga Biam on behalf of the state government pleaded for calm in the communities assuring that all those behind the dastardly action would be apprehended and brought to justice.