Panic As Hoodlums Invade Benue Community, Kill Nine People

Hoodlums have attacked Anyom settlement in Mbatyula Council Ward of Kastina-Ala Local Government Area in Benue State, resulting in the tragic death of at least nine people.

Villagers blamed the attack, which happened in the early hours of Wednesday, on a rival militia who had recently been on the prowl.

The villagers disclosed that rival militia groups had been wreaking havoc on Mbatyula council ward and Mbayongo council ward where the late wanted criminal kingpin, Terwase Akwaza popularly known as Gana hailed from.

It was gathered that the Anyom settlement attack was carried out by one of the rival militia groups during which nine persons were reportedly killed and houses burnt.

The villagers also alleged that coordinated serial attacks were  carried out in parts of Mbatyula council ward by the gunmen.

They said on Tuesday, the armed men stormed Atumbe, another settlement in Mbatyula council ward where they (militia) set houses ablaze and made away with some property.

On the same day, the group reportedly raided Kur Hile, another settlement in Mbatyula where they also burnt some houses.

The Caretaker Chairman of Kastina-Ala LGA, Zamzam Francis, confirmed the incident on the telephone to our correspondent in Makurdi, stressing that a total of nine people had been killed between Monday and Wednesday in the affected places.

Francis said, “Really, the incident happened. it is between the rival militas. It’s among themselves. They are burning houses of innocent people and many people are suffering. That is what is happening. Nine people have been killed between Monday and Wednesday.”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Catherine Anene, told our correspondent that she did not have information about the attacks.