Residents of several rural settlements in the Moon Council Ward of Turan District, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, have reportedly fled their homes and farms over the weekend after armed invaders attacked the area.

The invaders were eventually repelled by security operatives.

According to local residents, the armed group launched their attack on farmlands, chasing farmers with firearms and displacing many.

The attack, which began around 4pm on Saturday, forced people from settlements, including Anyiashe, to flee for their lives.

One of the victims, Aondohemba Ahua, told journalists in Makurdi that the invasion was repelled after joint security forces in the area put up a stiff resistance.

Ahua noted that the number of casualties, if any, could not be confirmed due to the difficult terrain and poor road network in the district.

The spokesperson for the Benue Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comment at the time of this report.

However, a security operative attached to the area, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident.

He stated that it occurred between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm on Saturday in Anyiase, the sparsely populated headquarters of the Moon council ward.

The security operative added that the attackers were successfully repelled by local vigilantes, who were complemented by security personnel posted to the area. The attackers were forced to retreat toward the Kashimbila axis of Taraba State. (Daily Trust)