INSECURITY: Scores killed in fresh attacks in Benue, Kaduna

BY ORIAKU IJELE & GABRIEL IDIBIA

Fresh onslaught in Benue and Kaduna States may have resulted in the deaths of scores of citizens. The Benue Government confirmed the killing of over 30 persons by local militia in Ayati village, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue on Thursday night. Mr Matthew Aboh, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism stated this while addressing newsmen on Friday in Makurdi.

Aboh said that adequate security has been deployed to the area to restore order.

The commissioner said a total of 30 bodies were recovered after the attack, adding that more bodies were still being recovered in the bushes.

According to him, “I was informed yesterday night through the telephone that bandits were attacking and killing people at Ayati village.

READ ALSO: Network International powers $100bn in annual e…

“Today I confirmed that the number of persons killed as I talk to you was 30 .They are still recovering corpses in the bushes so the number is yet to be ascertained.

“In Ayati village what I heard is that one of the bandits’ maternal village is Ayati and the other one’s maternal village is Tine-nune, Mbatyem.

“All of them are tough and fighting themselves. So anytime any one goes to the maternal village of the other and kills people the other will retaliate. So it is reprisal upon reprisal attacks,” he said.

However, a resident of Ukum who spoke on condition of anonymity, who didn’t want to be named for fear of being attacked, said over 50 corpses were recovered.

When contacted, SP Sewuese Anene, Public Relations Officer, Police Command in Benue, confirmed the attack through a text message.

Meanwhile terrorists have invades Kaduna communities amid hunger protest curfew, killing the village head and abducting an Islamic scholar as well as a journalist’s wife and children.

The killings happened in Kallah Ward of Kufana Chiefdom, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State and one other local.

Also, in Zaria Kaduna State, the terrorists reportedly abducted an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Isma’il Gausi.

The bandits, according to locals, attacked the Kajuru village at about 12 am on Thursday, and also left with many women and children from the community.

Although the Police was yet to react, a community leader in the area, Markus Danja, said that the Village Head identified as Mr. Emmanuel Idan and the other local, were shot by the bandits.

Meanwhile, Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has expressed sadness over the unprovoked attack on Ayati Village in Ukum Local Government Area.

Alia, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, in Makurdi on Friday, condemned the new wave of attacks.

The governor, who expressed worry over the attack on unarmed innocent citizens by armed bandits, said that such heinous acts have continued in the state despite the strong security presence.

He, however, makes a firm determination to continue to use lawful procedures to protect Benue people, particularly Ukum, which has been on the front lines of attacks lately.

Alia called on security agencies to improve their surveillance and ensure that vulnerable communities were not left unguarded.

The governor condoled with the families that lost their loved ones in the unfortunate attack and prayed God to comfort them.

He assured the people that his administration would continue to explore both discreet and open measures with a view to ensuring that Sankera retraces her path of peace and lives happily again.