The caretaker chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, Justine Shaku, has decried the killing of 18 persons by some gunmen who attacked Mbache Ward on Friday, July 19, 2024.
Mr Shaku said the gunmen during the attack also kidnapped a father and his two children.
Noting that he had received a distress call at 11.00 pm that some gunmen were going from house to house forcing people to follow them, Mr Shaku said that attacks like this and kidnapping of residents were resurfacing in the state.
According to Mr Shaku, upon receipt of the call, he immediately alerted the military officers at Tor Donga.
He, however, stated that before the officers arrived, the gunmen had already perpetrated the act.
His words, “Yesterday night, I was told it was 17, but today 18 bodies have been confirmed dead, all of them were assembled in one place and killed.
“This morning, I, the assembly member and adviser on legislative matters held a meeting and we communicated the development to the Commissioner of Police.
“He is on his way coming. Since he is coming we asked the villagers to wait let him join us here in Katsina-Ala town before we visit the scene,” Mr Shaku said.
He also said that some, local terrorists’ were using guerrilla war tactics to attack communities in the state.
He said, “They hit and run away.”
Hope at the end of the tunnel
Adding that the current situation in the state was not encouraging, Mr Shaku expressed that there was hope at the end of the tunnel.
He said, “In the month of June, the security situation was very bad, but this month we have not witnessed such attacks.
“Even those they ransacked their houses have moved back to their homes and things appeared to be calm before this attack.
“They are local terrorists. I no longer call them bandits because I’m seeing hands/elements of terrorism in their activities.”
The LG council chairman urged the people of the community and the state at large to remain calm as the governor, Hyacinth Alia is committed to keeping residents safe.
Police react
Speaking on the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Superintendent of Police Sewuese Anene, confirmed the attack.
Anene said that the police have swung into action as an investigation into the matter is ongoing.
Noting that security had been beefed up and normalcy had returned to the area, Anene urged the residents to remain calm and maintain restraint in the face of provocation.
