From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen militia, yesterday, reportedly invaded a vigil ground at the Christians Pentecostal Church at Akenawe, Tswarev in Ukemberagya/Tswarev council ward of Logo Local Government Area of Benue state, killed one person and abducted four other worshippers.
Daily Sun gathered that the gunmen invaded the church in the early hours of yesterday, while the members were having a vigil Mass, opened fire on them and killed a young man, butchered many and took away others, including the resident pastor.
A community leader and President, Gaambe-Tiev Youths Association (GYA), Dr Hemen Terkimbi, disclosed that one person was killed in the process of the attack, five people sustained various degrees of machete injuries, while four other worshippers, including the resident pastor, Rev. Pastor. Gwadue Kwaghtyo, were still missing at the time of filing this report.
He said those who sustained severe injuries, including the Acting Kindred Head of Akemkpa, Zaki Tyokase Ingyutu, who was wounded on the head, were receiving treatments at different hospitals in the Ugba and Anyiim areas of Logo LGA.
Dr Terkimbi described the attack as barbaric, adding that it must be condemned in strong terms. He said it was unfortunate that innocent defenceless worshippers could be attacked by heartless people on such a Holy day. He called on security personnel to comb all nooks and crannies of the areas to ensure that the attackers are arrested to face the wrath of the law.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Benue State Command, Catherine Anene, could not be reached as she did not pick calls made to her phone.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Logo LGA, Mrs Salome Tor, confirmed the incident. Speaking on the phone, the chairman said the incident happened in the early hours of yesterday.
She said: “A church in one of the wards went for a vigil and, as they were praying, they were surrounded by the herders.”
She said the herdsmen militia killed one boy; a child, kidnapped three people, and butchered two others with machetes.
“A child was killed and three people taken away,” she said.