Four Vigilantes, Three Others Killed As Bandits Invade Benue Community

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Daily Trust reports that some people have been killed by assailants during a fresh attack on Tor Donga community of Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

It was learnt that the incident occurred around 5 pm on Thursday, 

The incident also led to pandemonium in the area, Daily Trust reports.

The bandits were said to have stormed the rural community in their numbers and opened fire on people on sight.

The Chairman of Kastina-Ala LGA, Alfred Atera, who confirmed the attack in Makurdi said some members of the Community Volunteer Guards were among the seven people killed.

Atera said, “Bandits came to Tor Donga yesterday (Thursday) evening and killed seven persons.

“They killed Volunteer Guard members, injured two of them and then killed some other persons, too, on their way as they shot sporadically.

“Five injured persons are in the hospital now, including a Reverend Father from Mbatseer who was going to Tor Donga. They met him on the way, shot him dead and the other occupant of the car.

“The incident happened between 5 pm and 5:30 pm. According to the volunteer guards, they (bandits) are the remnants of Azonto army, as they saw one Santer who was driving the car.

“The Volunteer Guards blocked the road when they saw them, but they didn’t have anything to protect themselves with so they ran away. All the security agencies have been informed; the police, OPWS and security adviser. We are on top of it, doing our best to ensure that we get them.”

The council chairman admitted that the incident caused panic among residents, saying, “We have never experienced this kind of thing for a long time now coming up, the residents are afraid. We’re making sure that we assure them that the perpetrators will be brought to book.”

Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom also confirmed the killings, saying his government was cooperating with security agencies to track down the killer gang.

The governor said four out of the seven people killed were vigilantes.

The State Police Spokesperson Catherine Anene, told the newspaper, “we have not received such report please".