An attack on Abagena community in Benue State in the early hours of Tuesday by assailants believed to be herdsmen has left seven people dead, FIJ can report.

FIJ gathered that those killed were IDPs living in the community. Grisly photos of the attack seen by FIJ showed victims with deep machete cuts in the head, chest and other parts of their bodies.

Youth angry about the attack blocked the highway, protesting against the killing.

“The youth are protesting as we speak, blocking the Makurdi-Abuja highway, and asking the Federal Government to come to the aid of Benue people,” a resident, who does not want to be named, told FIJ.

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“It’s been attributed to tribal annihilation. People are saying that it’s the Fulani herdsmen.”

The scene of the attack is near the Abagena Internally Displaced Persons Camp that houses over 100,000 people who fled their communities due to attack by herdsmen.

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FIJ contacted the Public Relations Officer of the Police in Benue, DSP Anene Catherine, but her phone was switched off. There was no reply to a text message as of press time.