Eight persons were allegedly killed by suspected herders in the Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, on Tuesday.

Several people were said to have been injured and one person was allegedly abducted during the attack.

A native of Yelwata, who did not want his name in print, said the herders invaded the community went and straight to the market and shot at people.

The native stated, “The incident happened around 6pm yesterday (Tuesday) when  some herders came to our community’s market and gunned down eight persons and injured several others.

“One person was taken away and we have not heard from him since then.”

The Chairman, Guma Local Government Council, Caleb Aba, confirmed the attack, adding that the herders invaded the community on the market day, while the people were still in the market and opened fire on them, killing eight persons and injured two others.

The council chairman said the attack was unprovoked, adding, “Our people had no problems with the herders before they carried out the attack.

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“Yesterday (Tuesday) was the Yelwata market day and the people were still in the market around 6pm when the herdsmen came and started shooting indiscriminately. In the end, eight persons were killed, two were injured and one person, who was abducted, has yet to be released till now.”

Abba said the injured were taken to a private hospital for treatment since the doctors in government hospitals were still on strike.

A military source confirmed the attack and added that troops had been deployed in the area to restore normalcy in the community.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Catherine Anene, confirmed that six persons died, while two were injured in the attack.

“Six persons were shot and almost dead at that point, but they were confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital, while two persons are receiving treatment as of this morning,” she said.