- Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State condemns the killing of villagers in Ukum Local Government Area, expressing disappointment and urging security agents to bring the perpetrators to justice
- Local bandits attacked Akpuuna village in Mbaterem, resulting in the death of at least 24 people
- The governor extends condolences to the affected families, urging the people of Sankera to provide valuable information to security agencies
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the killing of villagers in the state’s Ukum Local Government Area on Sunday.
According to our correspondent, local bandits killed at least 24 people in Akpuuna village in Mbaterem, Ukum LGA.
Tersoo Kula, the governor’s chief press secretary, expressed disappointment in the development.
He urged security agents to apprehend those responsible for the illegal act and bring them to justice, just as he expressed condolences to those whose loved ones were killed in the attack and prayed to God to comfort them.
On the other hand, the governor urged calm and the people of Sankera to provide useful information to security agencies to reduce insecurity in the area.
Recall that on Monday, suspected bandits launched an attack on the Ugba community located in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. During the incident, a member of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards was fatally shot, and two individuals from the community were abducted.
A source from Ugba town informed journalists that the gunmen stormed the community at approximately 3 pm. They arrived in a car and proceeded to rob customers, confiscating valuable items such as mobile phones, cash, and two cars.
The gunmen shot an officer of the Benue State Volunteer Guards in the Ugba community, and they also kidnapped an educationist and a woman from the town. One of the State Volunteer Guards was injured at a checkpoint they had established to prevent the gunmen from escaping, the source stated.
The injured volunteer guard was immediately taken to the general hospital for medical treatment.
Ahokegh Terkimbi, the Public Relations Officer of the State Community Volunteer Guards, confirmed the incident and informed journalists that one person had lost their lives during the attack on the Ugba community. Terkimbi briefly stated, “My commander just confirmed that one of our personnel died in the incident.”
Catherine Anene, the State Police Public Relations Officer, also verified the occurrence of the attack.
This incident follows a similar event on the previous Friday when gunmen invaded the Tswarev/Ukemberakya Council ward within the same local government area. During that attack, a guard of the State Volunteer Community Guards was killed, and two others sustained injuries.