The Nigerian Police Force has described the report claiming 81 people were killed in Benue state by suspected herdsmen as 'a gross misrepresentation of the true facts on ground in the state'.
We
reported it here on Monday that a group of suspected armed herdsmen invaded the Nenzev ward in Logo Local Government Area of Benue state Sunday, at about mid-day and reportedly killed some residents, and according to various reports, the latest killings increased the number of deaths from herdsmen attack to 81 in the last two weeks.
As the news went viral, there were calls for the presidency to release a statement and address the issue, as well as sympathize with the families of the victims and the entire Benue State.
Few hours later, the presidency, through the Twitter page of its digital communications office - @DigicommsNG,
reacted to the reports of the massacre by the herdsmen, saying it is checking the accuracy of reports claiming that 81 people were killed adding that the Nigerian police is currently investigating the reports and would release a statement.
The Nigerian Police Force has taken to their official social media pages and addressed the issue, saying that it is 22 that were killed instead of the widely reported 81 killed over the last two months by the suspected herdsmen.
Below is the statement in full;