An official has exclusively revealed to
PREMIUM Times, that some irate Nigerian soldiers have reportedly stormed a community in Benue State and set houses ablaze
It was gathered that the soldiers stormed Naka, the seat of Gwer West Local Government Area, at about 11:00 a.m. and began burning houses to the apprehension of residents.
While speaking to a correspondent, chairman of the local government, Francis Ayagahby confirmed the incident on telephone Thursday afternoon, and though the details of the incident were not clear as at 2:48 p.m., Mr Ayagah could not immediately confirm casualty figures, if there were any.
He said the soldiers were on a reprisal attack over the killing of one of their colleagues near the community on Wednesday.
“A soldier was killed by hoodlums yesterday, but I met with the brigade commander around 4:30 a.m. today,” Mr Ayagah said of the possible motive of the incident.
“He gave me a list of suspects and we arrested five of them overnight. It was while we were trying to take them to the brigade that soldiers stormed the town and started burning houses.”
“A part of the town has been completely burnt down and we’re appealing for help and understanding from the soldiers,” he added.
The troops were said to have spent over two hours burning down properties in Naka, which is about 45 kilometres from Makurdi, the state capital.
Mr Ayagah said homes of citizens were mostly affected rather than those of the suspects of the slain soldier.