Death toll from Benue gun attack rises to nine

The death toll from Saturday’s gunmen attack on mourners in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area has risen to nine.

This was confirmed by the Benue State Police command on Sunday.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Catherine Anene, told newsmen in Makurdi that the police have commenced investigation into the matter.

Anene explained that four persons were killed at the burial of Tor Gbev Amaafu in Tongov and additional five were killed during reprisal attacks by Amaafu, Sati Agirigi and Ikurav Tiev communities.

She said the killings were suspected to be the frequent clashes between Ikurav and Shitile people in the area in recent times.

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“The clash cut across three villages. There is no reason for these attacks. Several peace meetings with the communities have yielded no positive results,” Anene said.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that gunmen, who numbered more than 10, opened fire on the mourners, killing and injuring several persons in the process.

The gunmen attacked the mourners in the early hours of Saturday as a result of which four persons lost their lives on the spot and several others sustained severe injuries.

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