Unknown gunmen reportedly killed 24 people in the Zaki Akpuuna 1 and Diom towns of Mbaterem district in Benue State’s Ukum Local Government Area on Saturday morning.
Ukum is one of three hotspots in the Sankera axis where local bandits are suspected to be gang members of the assassinated Terwase Akwaza alias Gana. Logo and Katsina-Ala are two other hotspots.
According to reports, the gunmen stormed the peaceful towns about 8 a.m. on Saturday and unleashed a horrific onslaught, killing 24 people.
Locals who talked with our correspondent later on Saturday reported the perpetrators also burned down many houses in neighboring communities.
According to one of the villagers who asked not to be identified, the gunmen raided Zaki Akpuuna Saturday morning and killed 24 people.
The local said, “You know that the three local government areas in Sankera axis had long been under these local bandits headed by Gana, and since he was killed his men have divided and been controlled by their leaders.
“The cause of this morning attack is not known yet but the information we heard was that some gunmen numbering about 20 invaded Akpuuna and other villages in Ukum local government and killed many people and burnt down several houses.
“At least, 24 bodies have been recovered and the search is still on to find missing people.”
Mr. Kartyo Tyoumbur, chairman of the local administration, confirmed the attack and stated that 24 bodies had been found from the two attacked villages.
He said, “I learnt that after they attacked Akpuuna and Diom, the armed gang fled the scene but on getting to the Tine-Nune community on the Zaki Biam-Wukari Road they met the military who confronted them.
“Though no one knows how many of them were killed, but I believe some of them must have been neutralised in that exchange.”
The Chairman, who condemned the crime, stated that no one knew what motivated the attack.
SP Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue State Command, did not return phone calls or SMS.
However, a senior police officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed the attack and stated that eight bodies had been retrieved.
“Yes, our men are right there now, as am talking to you eight dead bodies have been recovered,” the officer said.
Attempts to contact the spokesman for Operation Whirl Stroke, Flt Lt. D.O. Oquah, were futile as his cellphone could not connect.