It was another bloody weekend in Benue State as armed gunmen made a deadly incursion into the Akpuuna community in Mbazun, Mbateren in UKum Local Government Area and left over 25 people dead.
The militants, New Telegraph gathered stormed the area on a market day on Saturday on Bajaj motorcycles and started shooting sporadically killing any one in sight.
Reports said the gunmen, numbering over 30, invaded the community through Sai from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area and launched the heinous crime.
The militants were reported to have operated for more than two hours without the intervention of security men and left unchallenged killing the people. Scores of others also sustained severe gun shot injuries.
The State Police Command has confirmed the deadly attack but said only eight people were killed.
The Command’s spokesperson, Anene Catherine Sewuese said that “the militia gang invaded Akpuna village, Ukum LGA of Benue state and were shooting sporadically. Upon receipt of this information, police teams in collaboration with other security agencies rushed to the area and engaged these bandits who were eventually repelled.
“Eight (8) corpses were recovered at the scene while many other injured persons were taken to hospital for treatment. Operation is ongoing in the area”.
Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Senator representing Benue North East, Senator Emmanuel Udende have condemned the killings in Ukum local government area.
While Governor Alia described the bloody attack as “a sin against God and mankind”, Senator Udende viewed it “as barbaric and primitive” and tasked the various security apparatuses to take immediate action to restore peace and stop further occurrence.
Senator Udende condole the families of those affected and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Governor said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Mr. Tersoo Kula that it was indeed “disappointing and quite disheartening to receive the news that innocent and law-abiding citizens have been attacked and killed in cold blood for a no cause”.
He directed security agents to arrest those behind the unlawful act and bring them to book.
The governor also condoled with those whose loved ones were killed in the attack and prayed God to comfort them.
He admonished the residents to he calm and advised the people of Sankera to assist security agencies with useful information that could help quell insecurity in the area.
