Gruesome killings suspected to have been carried out by Fulani herdsmen and unidentified armed bandits continued unabated in Taraba, Benue and Zamfara States this week leading to the death of 53 persons with scores of others injured

In Zamfara State, at least 26 persons were killed in a fresh attack by bandits in Kuru-Kuru and Jarkuka villages in Anka Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday. The two villages are located close to Bawar Daji village where bandits had attacked and killed over 60 persons two weeks ago.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Mohammed Shehu said the command was aware of the attack on the two villages but declined to give the number of casualties.

In Taraba State, herdsmen suspected to be Fulani militia on Wednesday evening attacked Jandeikyula village in Wukari Local Government Area, leaving 25 people dead.

Reports say the militia, numbering over 200 invaded the village at about 6 p.m shooting anybody within their sight and setting houses on fire.

The attack occurred despite the presence of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris who has been in the state on a working visit since Monday.

The story was not different in neighbouring Benue State where suspected herdsmen attacked Agboughul village, a suburb of Makurdi, the state capital, killing two persons with several others sustaining various degrees of injuries.

When contacted, the PPRO of the Benue State Police Command, ASP Moses Yamu confirmed the attack on Agboughul village which is located near the River Benue, adding that the State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni had led his personnel to the community to restore order.

Yamu said: “I can confirm that two persons were killed in Agboughul community this morning (Wednesday) by suspected herdsmen. The Commissioner of Police has already visited there and he has also deployed a unit of our mobile police personnel to the community to ensure the restoration of peace in the area.”

Meanwhile, the death toll from the recent attack on Gbeji town and other communities in Ukum L.G.A and a fresh attack on Logo L.G.A. both in Benue State has risen to 60, according to local sources. The attacks in the communities in the two local government areas occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.