Gunmen kill 24 people in Benue community
Unknown gunmen invaded Zaki Akpuuna 1 and Diom communities of Mbaterem district in Ukum local government area in Benue state on Saturday morning and reportedly killed as many as 24 people.
Ukum is one of three Sankera Axis hotspots where local bandits suspected of being Terwase Akwaza aka Gana gang members are rampant. Other hotspots are; Logo and Katsina-Ala.
It has been established that the gunmen invaded the sleepy communities around 8am on Saturday and launched a deadly attack resulting in the deaths of 24 people.
Residents who spoke to our correspondent by phone later Saturday said the attackers also burned down several houses in adjourned villages.
One of the residents who spoke to our correspondent on the phone but pleaded not to be mentioned said the gunmen attacked Zaki Akpuuna on Saturday morning and killed 24 people.
The local said, "You know that the three local government areas in the axis of Sankera had been under the control of these local bandits led by Gana for a long time, and since he was killed, his men are divided and have been controlled by their leaders.
“The cause of this morning attack is not yet known, but the information we heard was that gunmen numbering about 20 invaded Akpuuna and other villages in Ukum local government and killed many people and burned several houses.
"At least 24 bodies have been recovered and the search continues to locate the missing persons.
Confirming the attack, the chairman of the local government, Mr. Kartyo Tyoumbur, said that so far 24 bodies have been found in the two villages attacked.
He said, "I learned that after attacking Akpuuna and Diom, the armed gang fled the scene, but on arriving at Tine-Nune community on the Zaki Biam-Wukari road, they encountered the soldiers who faced them.
"Although no one knows how many of them were killed, but I think some of them must have been neutralized during this exchange."
The president who denounced the attack said no one knew the motive for the attack.
Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene, did not respond to calls or text messages.
But a senior police officer who spoke to our correspondent anonymously confirmed the attack and said eight bodies had been found.
"Yes, our men are here at this very moment, as I speak to you, eight bodies have been found," the officer said.
Efforts to obtain Operation Whirl Stroke spokesperson Flt Lt. D.O. Oquah were unsuccessful because his cell phone failed to connect.
Unknown gunmen invaded Zaki Akpuuna 1 and Diom communities of Mbaterem district in Ukum local government area in Benue state on Saturday morning and reportedly killed as many as 24 people.
Ukum is one of three Sankera Axis hotspots where local bandits suspected of being Terwase Akwaza aka Gana gang members are rampant. Other hotspots are; Logo and Katsina-Ala.
It has been established that the gunmen invaded the sleepy communities around 8am on Saturday and launched a deadly attack resulting in the deaths of 24 people.
Residents who spoke to our correspondent by phone later Saturday said the attackers also burned down several houses in adjourned villages.
One of the residents who spoke to our correspondent on the phone but pleaded not to be mentioned said the gunmen attacked Zaki Akpuuna on Saturday morning and killed 24 people.
The local said, "You know that the three local government areas in the axis of Sankera had been under the control of these local bandits led by Gana for a long time, and since he was killed, his men are divided and have been controlled by their leaders.
“The cause of this morning attack is not yet known, but the information we heard was that gunmen numbering about 20 invaded Akpuuna and other villages in Ukum local government and killed many people and burned several houses.
"At least 24 bodies have been recovered and the search continues to locate the missing persons.
Confirming the attack, the chairman of the local government, Mr. Kartyo Tyoumbur, said that so far 24 bodies have been found in the two villages attacked.
He said, "I learned that after attacking Akpuuna and Diom, the armed gang fled the scene, but on arriving at Tine-Nune community on the Zaki Biam-Wukari road, they encountered the soldiers who faced them.
"Although no one knows how many of them were killed, but I think some of them must have been neutralized during this exchange."
The president who denounced the attack said no one knew the motive for the attack.
Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene, did not respond to calls or text messages.
But a senior police officer who spoke to our correspondent anonymously confirmed the attack and said eight bodies had been found.
"Yes, our men are here at this very moment, as I speak to you, eight bodies have been found," the officer said.
Efforts to obtain Operation Whirl Stroke spokesperson Flt Lt. D.O. Oquah were unsuccessful because his cell phone failed to connect.
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