Tragic Incident in Benue: 18 Killed, 3 Abducted

Two weeks after the violent Zaki Biam protests, which claimed three lives and destroyed many properties, gunmen suspected of being militias killed 18 people, kidnapped three others, and destroyed properties worth millions of Naira in Mbacher council ward of Benue State’s Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

The incident occurred early Saturday and injured two persons, while many others have been moved due to fears of further attacks.

A local source stated that “the militia stormed the village in large numbers and opened fire on people.”

When contacted, Justine Shaku, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Kastina-Ala LGA, acknowledged the attack to journalists on the phone in Makurdi, claiming that soldiers received an intelligence information regarding the raid on Mbache village, but

Before the soldiers arrived, the bandits caused mayhem and fled the area.
Yes, I can confirm that 18 people were slain and two others injured by ‘terrorist’ bandits in my local government region.

“We received a distress call from villagers informing us that a bunch of terrorists had mobilized and were marching from home to house, forcing people to follow them.

“Some were injured. Yesterday night. I was informed seventeen individuals perished, but eighteen are now officially dead. All of them were gathered in one location and executed.”

The council chief also confirmed that prior to yesterday’s deaths, some persons were kidnapped, including an Igbo man and his two children.

He went on to say that in recent days, aside from what happened yesterday, there have been areas of kidnappings. Kidnapping has also resurfaced in the area.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command has verified the attack in the Kastina-Ala LGA.

Sewuese Anene, the command’s spokeswoman, verified the incident in a text message to reporters, saying the inquiry is still ongoing and that normalcy has restored to the region.