Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Catherine Anene
Terrorists kill 18 in fresh Benue attack
Gunmen suspected to be terrorists wreaking havoc in Benue State have struck again leaving trails of death and destruction in their wake.
At least 18 people were killed when the terrorists attacked Mbacher community in Mbacher Council Ward, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the State.
The mindless killings took place around 11:00 pm on Friday despite the curfew imposed by the state government, locals told newsmen.
The bandits were said to have lured out the villagers, gathered them under the pretense of addressing them before opening fire.
Recall that the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, had two weeks ago imposed a 6:00 pm to 6:00 am curfew in the Sankera axis following a violent protest in Ukum LGA. The Sankera axis, comprising Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo, has been a hotbed of nefarious activities from armed non-state actors in the state.
The source further disclosed that 18 bodies were recovered by the military on Saturday morning.
The Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, Justine Shaku, confirmed the incident.
He disclosed that the bandits had finished their diabolical business and left when the military could arrive.
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“At about 11:00 pm yesterday (Friday), we received a distress call from the villagers that a group of terrorists were moving from house to house, forcing people to follow them.
“I quickly mobilized the military officers in Tor Doonga, but due to the remote location, the attack was over by the time they arrived,” Shaku stated.
Shaku also mentioned that several people were wounded during the attack.
“I was told it was 17, but today 18 people have been confirmed dead. All of them were assembled in one place and killed,” he added.
The council chairman described the activities of the gunmen as “local terrorism”, noting that their tactics resemble guerrilla warfare.
“I no longer call them bandits because I’m seeing elements of terrorism in their activities.
“They are terrorists within, though they have external forces aiding them. The locals are the major perpetrators,” Shaku added.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful as her phone rang out.
However, the Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Joseph Har, confirmed the incident.
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