- The incident is the latest in the spate of attack in the middle belt state
- Houses were razed during the Saturday attack
- Anonymous police officer put the number of casualties at 8
At least 24 people have been reportedly killed in a fresh attack on Zaki Akpuuna 1 and Diom communities of Mbaterem district in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Benue has been the hotbed of violent attacks by marauding gunmen for months on end, thousands of residents of the state have been killed in the mindless attacks.
It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the communities around 8 am on Saturday and launched a deadly attack.
Ukum is said to be one of the three hotspots in Sankera axis where local bandits suspected to be gang members of the slain Terwase Akwaza aka Gana are wreaking havoc. Other hotspots are; Logo and Katsina-Ala.
According to locals, the attackers also burnt down several houses in adjourning villages.
The gunmen attacked Zaki Akpuuna and killed 24 people, Punch quoted a local who spoke in confidence as saying.
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”
Confirming the attack, the chairman of the local government, Mr. Kartyo Tyoumbur said so far 24 bodies had been recovered 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 decried the attack said no one knew the motive behind the attack.
A police senior officer who spoke in confidence with newsmen confirmed the attack and said that eight dead bodies have been recovered.
“Yes, our men are right there now, as am talking to you eight dead bodies have been recovered,” the officer said.