Over 25 persons were reportedly killed by unidentified gunmen early on Saturday morning in a fresh attack on communities in Benue state’s Katsina-Ala Local Government Area (LGA).
The Imande Mbakange community and other nearby communities in the Mbacher Council region of the Katsina-Ala LG were the target of the attack.
According to residents, there were over 25 fatalities, several injuries, and the destruction of houses and other property worth millions of naira.
Alfred Atera, the chairman of the Katsina-Ala Local Government, confirmed the attack and blamed the local criminals for the heinous deed.
He condemned the attack on the Imande Mbakange community and other neighbouring communities in Mbacher Council ward, adding he could not confirm the number of deaths immediately.
According to Atera, they have recovered over ten dead bodies from the area.
The Chairman described the killings irrational, inhumane, and barbaric. He urged all security formations to urgently step up their efforts to fend off the recent spike in attacks on the Benue people.
To prevent more lawlessness within the local administration, he ordered security personnel to step up surveillance in the attack-prone areas.
The head of the LG expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and pledged to continue to support and put into action all legal means in an effort to put an end to the senseless killing of people of Katsina-Ala Local Government and all of Benue.
When contacted, SP Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), of the Benue state command, also confirmed the attack.
Ada Peter
