Gunmen have reportedly killed 18 people in an attack launched on villagers in Mbacher Council Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
Witnesses told our correspondent in Makurdi, the state capital, that the incident happened on Friday night after gunmen believed to be local outlaws laid siege to the villagers and killed 18 people, leaving some wounded and many others kidnapped.
The outlaws operating in rural environments of Sankera acenstral bloc which consists of three local government areas – Ukum, Logo and Kastina-Ala – had made the axis unsafe for residents for the past many years.
Earlier in June, this year, they opened fire at Gugu market in Kpav community of Katsina-Ala LGA and killed six people while on July 3, they killed another 11 in Ayati community of Ukum LGA which sparked a violent protests that led to the burning down of public and private properties.
Chairman of Kastina-Ala LGA, Justine Shaku, told journalists in Makurdi on Saturday that the incident happened at about 11pm on Friday when he received a distress call from the villagers that some group of terrorists mobilised themselves and were moving house to house forcing people to follow them.
Shaku said, “I quickly mobilise the military officers that are in Tor Donga but being a remote area before they could reach there the people were killed. Some were wounded. Yesterday night I was told it was 17 but today 18 bodies have been confirmed dead. All of them were assembled in one place and killed.
“This morning, myself, the assembly member and adviser on legislative matters held a meeting and we communicated the development to the Commissioner of Police. He is on his way coming. Since he is coming we asked the villagers to wait let him join us here in Katsina-Ala town before we visit the scene.
“It is a gorilla war. They hit and run away.”
The chairman further said that in previous months, the situation had been difficult, but since July, there has been a brief period of calm until the fresh incident.
He added, “In June, the security situation was dire, but this month, no attacks had occurred. Even those who had been displaced returned to their homes, and things seemed to be settling down before this latest attack.
“Yes, some people were kidnapped, including a man and his two children. Recently, aside from yesterday’s incident, there have been sporadic kidnappings. Kidnapping is resurfacing in the area. I no longer call them bandits; I consider them local terrorists due to the terroristic nature of their activities. Although they have external sponsors aiding them, the primary perpetrators are locals.”
Shaku however urged the people to remain calm as the Government of Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia is committed to keeping the society safe from such acts, assuring them that very soon it will become a thing of the past.
The Security Adviser on Internal Affairs to Benue Governor, Chief Joseph Har, also confirmed the incident but said he did not have details.
Police spokesperson for Benue Command, SP Catherine Anene, had not yet responded to calls put through her telephone at the time of filing this report.
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