The Nigeria Police Force in Benue State has confirmed that terrorists attacked cashew farmers in the Asaba, Ojantele and Okpette communities of Apa Local Government Area on Friday, killing six people.
The command’s spokesperson, Edet Udeme, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Makurdi.
According to her, the victims were tending to their farms when the attackers struck.
Udeme said a joint security team made up of personnel from the police, the military and local youths from the affected communities quickly moved into the surrounding forest to begin search and rescue operations.
“At the end of the initial operation, six lifeless bodies were recovered; efforts are ongoing to ensure the safety of residents in the affected communities,” she added.
She further revealed that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ifeanyi Emenari, had ordered the deployment of additional security personnel to strengthen operations in the area.
The police spokesperson noted that the move was aimed at tracking down those responsible for the attack and bringing them to justice.
“In the meantime, patrols have been intensified across the affected communities and the entire state to prevent any further attacks and to reassure residents of the continued readiness of security operatives to always confront such attacks.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that may assist ongoing operations,” she said.
