Hundreds of people in Kwande local government area of Benue State have fled their ancestral home for fear of being killed by suspected armed herdsmen who in the past one week launched sustained attacks on over 12 communities killing 50 farmers.

LEADERSHIP gathered from the locals that the herdsmen invaded the communities and killed over 50 persons while scores sustained varying degrees of injuries and burning down of houses and barns.

The attacks which started after the presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections in over 12 communities of Moon, Mbaikyor, Mbadura  Ilyav, Ugbe, Iyon, Ityuluv, Injov Tyopaver, Kendev, Maav among others.

A source in the area, who identified himself as Tersur, said the marauding herdsmen launched the attacks from Moon and spread to other communities surrounding the area and chased all the inhabitants away from their ancestral homes.

The public relations officer of “Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Flight Lieutenant D.O. Oquah, told LEADERSHIP that the force commander, Major Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, earlier yesterday held a meeting with the traditional rulers in the area and the leadership of Miyetti Allah on how they can resolve the Issues.

Also, a former Kwande local government area chairman, Bem Tseen, told our correspondent that he lost three family members in the attack.

Leadership