Armed herders suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have killed six persons among them three members of the Benue State Volunteer Guards, a hunter and two other persons.

It was gathered that the incident took place between Ortese and Ngban village in Guma Local Government Area (LGA) on Tuesday.

Although, SP Sewuese Anene, who is the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command of the Nigeria Police said she was yet to receive the report, the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Lt Col Paul Hembah rtd confirmed the incident.

The Security Adviser who chatted with newsmen on phone on Wednesday said, the slain were on a joint patrol with policemen when they were ambushed and killed by their assailants.

The victims that lost their lives to the attack are Sunday Ingbe, Timothy Ibawa of Nyiev Council ward and Asema Aondowase from Mbadwem Council ward all in Guma LGA.

Hembah said, “Three members of Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, and a hunter were killed yesterday (Tuesday) by suspected bandits while on a joint patrol with policemen. They were ambushed by armed herdsmen between Ortese and Ngban villages.

“The corpse of the hunter has been recovered alongside the bodies of the Volunteers Guards members. They (armed herders) have been calling to claim that the government has promised to give them land in the area to settle and graze,” Hemba stated. (Daily Independent)