Locals in Benue State have confirmed retrieving 107 dead bodies so far after the latest attack by suspected herdsmen in Benue State.
The attack occurred in Yelewata community in the early hours of Saturday, sparking outrage.
It is considered the most deadly assault on Benue communities in recent time.
Among the dead were women, children, the elderly, and some security personnel.
The attackers, NATIONAL POST learnt set ablaze homes with occupants trapped inside.
Those who tried to escape were chased and murdered in cold blood.
As of Saturday evening, residents who are combing bushes said 107 dead bodies have been counted.
A local resident, Gberindyer Vanen, wrote in distress: “I just drove past Yelewata now. Human beings are still burning inside their homes. You can perceive the smell of roasted human flesh.”
Another resident of the community, Elder Zege Orkwande, also took to social media to share the grim update.
He wrote, “So far, 107 bodies found while search still in progress. Pray for Yelewata, pray for Benue State. Our leaders’ failures on insecurity is obvious.”
Other locals who provided information on the attack said the invaders split into three groups, striking from all angles.
As they fired from different angles, it was gathered that security agencies got confused, a development that worsened the situation.
Tse Ate, a track leading to Agugu Igbaakombo, and another path behind the community’s market square, were major points of attack.
Even community youths who tried to put resistance were overpowered, a local said.
“Those who tried to escape were chased and killed. Others couldn’t come out because the attackers had already sprayed fuel on the doors before setting the buildings ablaze,” Comrade Joseph Apahar Joo, Media and Publicity Officer for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) unit in Benue State said.
Meanwhile, Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement but did not disclose the official death toll.