At least 18 people were killed by suspected armed bandits in the Mbache community of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area in Benue State.
The attack happened late Friday night around 11 pm. The bandits stormed the community, dragged victims from their homes, and shot them at a single spot.
Some people managed to escape with injuries. The attackers are believed to be local bandits who have been terrorizing the Sankera area, including Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo LGAs.
This incident occurred about three weeks after a similar attack in Ukum LGA, where six people were killed. That attack led to a mass protest, which was taken over by miscreants who burned several government and private properties in Zaki Biam, forcing the state government to impose a curfew on the LGA.
Confirming the attack, Katsina-Ala LGA Chairman, Justine Shaku, described the attackers as terrorists. He said, “At about 11 pm yesterday (Friday), we received a distress call from the villagers that some group of terrorists mobilized themselves and were moving from house to house forcing people to follow them.
“I quickly mobilized the military officers that are in Tor Doonga, but it is a remote area, and before they could reach there, the people were killed and some were wounded. As of Friday night, I was told it was 17 persons that were killed, but today 18 bodies have been confirmed dead. All of them were assembled in one place and killed.”
Chairman Shaku mentioned that he had met with the Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters and the lawmaker representing Katsina-Ala East State Constituency. He also informed the Benue State Police Commissioner, who was on his way to the community.
He lamented that the armed men had adopted guerrilla warfare tactics, noting that the LGA had recently enjoyed some relief from such activities. “They are the local terrorists. I no longer call them bandits because I am seeing elements of terrorism in their activities. But they are terrorists within, though they have external forces, those who are sponsoring and helping them to perpetrate the acts. The locals are majorly the people who are doing it.”
The Chairman appealed for calm, assuring that “the administration of Hyacinth Alia is committed to keeping our society safe from these acts. They should be assured that very soon this incident would be a thing of the past.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, Chief Joseph Har, confirmed the incident but noted that he was yet to receive full details.
Meanwhile, the State Police Command, in a brief statement by its Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident. The statement read, “The attack in Katsina-Ala is confirmed. Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing as normalcy has returned in the area. Details will get to you as soon as the Police on the ground send the report.”
