Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has described as “a sin against God and mankind” the recent killing of innocent citizens by a group of gunmen in Zaki Akpuuna 1 and Diom communities of Mbazun Mbateren district in the Ukum Local Government Area of the State.
Consequently, he has charged the security agencies to arrest perpetrators of the despicable act and bring them to justice for their crimes against humanity.
The gunmen reportedly left over 25 persons dead in the invasion, with reports indicating that the criminals stormed the community, on its Saturday market day, shooting sporadically and killing anyone in sight.
Reacting to the unfortunate incident, Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Senator representing Benue North East, Senator Emmanuel Udende, condemned the killings and tasked the security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book immediately.
Governor Alia said it was “disappointing and quite disheartening to receive the news that innocent and law-abiding citizens have been attacked and killed in cold blood for no cause”.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, the governor directed relevant security agencies to arrest those behind the criminal act and bring them to book.
While condoling with those whose loved ones were killed in the attack and praying that God should comfort them, Governor Alia urged the residents to be calm with assurances that the State would spare no efforts at ensuring their safety and security at all times.
He further challenged the people of Sankera to assist security agencies with useful information that could help quell insecurity in the area and across the State.
Senator Udende described the incident “as barbaric and primitive”, urging the various security apparatuses to take immediate action to restore peace and stop further occurrence violence in the communities.
In condoling the families of those affected, the lawmaker prayed that God should grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Reports said that Ukum remained one of the three hotspots in the Sankera axis of the State, where criminal elements suspected to be gang members of late Terwase Akwaza, popularly called Gana, held sway.
The reports listed Logo and Katsina Ala as the other hotspots, disclosing that the attackers invaded the sleepy Mbazun Mbateren communities around 8 am, on Saturday, leaving many residents dead and several houses in some adjourning villages razed.
It was gathered that the gunmen, numbering over 30, launched their attack on the community through Sai in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the State, leaving behind a gory scene of multiple deaths and injured persons.
In what an insider described as “another unprovoked attack and reprehensible crime against innocent citizens”, Forefront News learnt the community members were left at the gunmen’s mercies without any help coming from the security agencies.
According to the sources, the high fatality figures was because the criminal gang operated unchallenged, with many residents of the area sustaining severe gunshot injuries from the attack and are now hospitalized.
Confirming the deadly incident, the State Police Command however stated that the number of those killed by the invaders stood at eight as at the last official count.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Anene Catherine Sewuese, the Command said; “The militia gang invaded Akpuna village, Ukum LGA of Benue state and were shooting sporadically.”
She further stated that; “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.”
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
