18 killed and many others injured as armed bandits attack Benue

At least 18 people have been reportedly killed bizarrely by suspected armed bandits in the Mbache community of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State.

It was gathered that the bandits stormed the community Friday night at about 11 p.m. and dragged their victims from their homes to a spot where they were all shot dead while some escaped with injuries.

The attackers were said to be local bandits who had been terrorising residents of the Sankera axis of the state comprising Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo LGAs

The attack came about three weeks after a similar incident in Ukum LGA claimed the lives of six people, which triggered a mass protest that was allegedly hijacked by miscreants who razed several government and private properties in Zaki Biam, compelling the state government to impose a curfew on the LGA.

Confirming the attack, Katsina-Ala LGA Chairman Justine Shaku described the masterminds as terrorists.

According to him, “At about 11 pm yesterday (Friday), we received a distress call from the villagers that some group of terrorists had mobilized themselves and were moving from house to house, forcing people to follow them.

“I quickly mobilized the military officers that are in Tor Doonga, which is a remote area, Before they could reach there, the people were killed and some were wounded.

“As at Friday night, I was told it was 17 people that were killed but today 18 bodies have been confirmed dead. All of them were assembled in one place and killed.”

The Chairman explained that he had already held a meeting with the Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters and the lawmaker representing Katsina-Ala East State Constituency over the matter and also informed the Benue State Police Commissioner, who was already on his way to the community.

He lamented that the armed men had adopted gorilla warfare tactics against the people, noting that the LGA had since the beginning of the month enjoyed some reprieve from the activities of armed men who had no regard for human life.

He said, “They are the local terrorists. I no longer call them bandits because I am seeing elements of terrorism in their activities. But they are terrorists within, though they have external forces—those who are sponsoring and helping them to perpetrate the acts. The locals are mostly the people who are doing it.”

The Chairman appealed for calm, assuring that “the administration of Hyacinth Alia is committed to keeping our society safe from these acts. They should be assured that very soon this incident will be a thing of the past.”

Contacted, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, Chief Joseph Har, confirmed the development but noted that he had yet to receive full details of what happened.

Meanwhile, the State Police Command, in a terse statement by its Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident.

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The statement read: “The attack in Kastina-Ala is confirmed. Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing as normalcy has returned to the area. Details will get to you as soon as the police on the ground send the report.”