Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has confirmed the k!lling of 59 people in Yelewata, a border community between Benue and Nasarawa states, following an attack by suspected herdsmen.
Addressing journalists at the Government House on Sunday, Alia said the d3ath toll was determined through a headcount conducted by security operatives in collaboration with families of the victims.
Among the dead were military and civil defence personnel who lost their lives defending the community from the attackers.
The Benue State governor disclosed that the suspected herdsmen came into the state from Nasarawa State.
Governor Alia acknowledged the assistance of his Nasarawa State counterpart, Abdullahi Sule, who he said shared intelligence regarding the invasion.
He also confirmed that one woman was killed on the Nasarawa side during the attack.
The governor disclosed the casualty figures while receiving a report from the panel of inquiry on militia activities in the Sankera axis, adding that the government would forward the report to relevant authorities and investigate individuals mentioned to help restore peace in the region.
