52 bodies found in Zaki Biam market after attack

About 52 bodies have been identified following Monday’s attack on Zaki Biam International Yam Market in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State by unknown gunmen who invaded the town on Bajah motorcycle, pick up van, and a red Toyota corolla popularly called Duck Nyash, killing and injuring several people at random.

Our correspondent who gathered that more dead bodies including students of Amensi Secondary school located along the Yam Market road who are on extension preparatory to write WAEC examination were also discovered.

The residents, who pleaded anonymity, said several persons who were shot while running are still missing. According to them, gunmen numbering over 30 armed with sophisticated weapons and in company of a woman came into the area and stormed the yam market and shooting sporadically into the air and at anybody in sight.

“Before now, they had written a letter that they will attack the area. They wore military uniform. They attacked Zaki Biam International Yam Market killing many people on the spot and injured many. The gunmen were chanting song that meant anyone who is brave should come out. The operation lasted for over three (3) hours and security men in the area did nothing only for them to arrest innocent people later”, they said.

A security personnel, who did not want his name in print, said there was security report earlier that the gunmen will attack and so, the Divisional Police Office, DPO, deployed his men to banks, hotels, schools and other institutions to safeguard them.

“We were dispatched as early as 8 am and the gunmen attacked by 3 pm. They were over 30 and abducted so many people alive”, he said.

It was observed that many houses were burnt down as several people have fled the area just as shops and other institutions in the area are closed down.

Many families were seen with their belongings leaving the area for safety.

Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom had earlier visited the injured persons in Light of Grace Hospital, St. Anthony Hospital and the morgue where the dead bodies have been deposited as well as the market to assess the level of damages.

He appealed to the people to remain calm, assuring that joint security personnel will be deployed to the area to restore peace, adding they the culprits will surely be arrested.

The governor, who attributed the killings in the Sankera axis of the state to the wanted criminal Terwase Akwaza alias Gana, said just last week, 8 persons were allegedly killed at Ayati in the same local government and consoled the families that lost their loved ones.

Meanwhile, Governor Ortom has directed that all the injured persons whose cases were severe to be transferred to the Benue State Teaching Hospital Makurdi for further treatment with a promise to facilitate the burial of those that lost their lives in the attacked.