A total number of 25 fatalities have been recorded in Ayati Community, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State in the ongoing conflict between rival criminal gangs.
The crisis initially erupted over the weekend when at least 22 people were killed in Chito and Tyo Akosu communities within Ukum Local Government Area.
This violence stemmed from a bloody clash between two groups known as the ‘Chain Gang’ and ‘Full Fire.’
An anonymous source from the area revealed that the conflict spilled into Ayati on Sunday evening, resulting in the deaths of three more suspected gang members.
The source stated, “We learned that the attack in Ayati at a gathering which claimed three lives on Sunday evening was an extension of the fight that started over the weekend in Chito and Tyo Akosu. The fact is that no one knows who is who among our youths. And we cannot tell who is sympathetic to which group and who is not. That is why the fight is getting messier, and they are killing human beings as if they are animals.”
Reacting to the situation, Mr. Ezra Nyiyongo, the lawmaker representing Ukum State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, expressed concern about the increasing insecurity in his constituency.
He urged the state government to enhance its strategy to address the crisis, saying, “We have had that problem well before now. Just that it has taken different turns and twists but generally, we have security challenges. You will sympathize with my people in Ukum and by extension Benue State. We as a government need to step up our strategy.”
Nyiyongo emphasized that these recurrent incidents of violence had been happening for some time, with varying casualty figures.
He added, “As a legislator, I have reported to my Speaker and we will take it up with the Governor, and I believe we will have a headway sooner or later. I believe the governor during our electioneering campaigns promised to do everything to bring peace, even if it means bringing the carrot approach to the so-called boys in the bush.”
