Crime

Gunmen Defy Curfew, See Number of Persons They Killed in Fresh Benue Attack

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 21st, 2024.

Gunmen Defy Curfew, See Number of Persons They Killed in Fresh Benue Attack

Gunmen, suspected to be bandits, launched a deadly attack on the Mbacher community in Mbacher Council Ward, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State on Friday night, resulting in the deaths of 18 people.

Local sources informed our correspondent that the assault occurred around 11:00 pm, despite a curfew imposed by the state government. The attackers reportedly lured the villagers under the pretense of addressing them before opening fire.

This incident follows a curfew imposed two weeks ago by Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am in the Sankera axis, which includes Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo LGAs, areas known for frequent criminal activities.

Military forces recovered 18 bodies on Saturday morning, according to local reports. Katsina-Ala LGA Chairman, Justine Shaku, confirmed the attack, stating that the bandits had finished their operation before the military could arrive.

“At about 11:00 pm yesterday (Friday), we received a distress call that terrorists were moving from house to house, forcing people to follow them. I quickly mobilized military officers in Tor Doonga, but due to the remote location, the attack was over by the time they arrived,” Shaku said.

Shaku also mentioned that several individuals were wounded in the assault. “Initially, we were told it was 17, but today 18 people have been confirmed dead. All of them were gathered in one place and killed,” he added.

Describing the attackers’ activities as “local terrorism,” Shaku noted that their tactics resemble guerrilla warfare. “I no longer call them bandits because I’m seeing elements of terrorism in their activities. They are terrorists within, though they have external forces aiding them. The locals are the major perpetrators,” Shaku stated.

Efforts to contact Police Public Relations Officer Catherine Anene were unsuccessful. However, the Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Joseph Har, confirmed the incident.