By Samson KukwaYanor and Abdulsalami Ahovi

•4 killed in another Benue terrorists’ attack

No fewer than 21 persons were feared dead and 37 others abducted, while thousands of residents have fled their homes after heavily armed bandits attacked the Tsamaye community in the Sabon Birni Local Council Area of Sokoto State.

The attack, which reportedly lasted from about 9:00 p.m. on Monday until after 3:00 a.m. yesterday, also left two homes burnt, livestock stolen, and the entire community deserted, according to witnesses.

This is as the Sokoto State Police Command confirmed a deadly attack by Lakurawa militants on Girkau community in Kebbe Local Council Area of the state, which left a police officer and two civilians dead, with several others injured, and an unspecified number of cattle rustled.

The attack, which occurred on Monday, also saw the assailants raze down two security vehicles belonging to the Nigeria Police Force and the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps.

Confirming the incidents yesterday, the command’s spokesman, Ahmed Rufai, said the police received a distress call and swiftly deployed operatives to the community, where they engaged the attackers in a gun battle and successfully repelled them.

However, Rufai said it was unfortunate that during the exchange of gunfire, an officer paid the supreme price. He added that the command had intensified security operations in the area and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property.

Among those reportedly killed were a police officer identified as Hussaini Manyu, an elderly resident, Bala Wakili, and a young herder who was allegedly shot dead after refusing to surrender his cattle to the attackers.

Community sources further disclosed that a farmer sustained gunshot injuries while working on his farmland and was currently receiving treatment at a medical facility, among other victims.

In another incident, gunmen have reportedly ambushed a joint security patrol along the Ganawuri-Sabon Gida Road in Riyom Local Council Area of Plateau State, killing two security operatives and carting away their service rifles.

Security sources told newsmen that the incident occurred early yesterday when four operatives drawn from two security locations mounted a roadblock along the route.

The sources said the team was returning to their respective duty posts after the operation when two of the personnel failed to return, prompting an immediate search by their colleagues.

According to the sources, the bodies of the two operatives were later recovered at the scene of the attack, while their service rifles were found to be missing.

The motorcycle used by the operatives was, however, recovered.

Meanwhile, the police have confirmed the killing of four persons in an attack by suspected Fulani militia on another community in Benue State.

In what has become a recurring incident, the armed Fulani militia were reported to have attacked Aboushwa Village in Nzorov, Guma Local Council Area.

A resident, who simply identified himself as Terkaa, told The Guardian on the phone that he escaped death by the whiskers, adding that they have so far recovered the bodies of three of his kinsmen.

The Guardian learnt that one other who escaped with gunshot wounds died yesterday at an undisclosed medical facility within the state

According to Terkaa, the attackers stormed the village in early yesterday and shot through the doors and windows of homes while families were still asleep.

When contacted, the Benue Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Orchia, confirmed the attack and the casualty figures, adding that investigations were ongoing.