Tension Escalates in Ukum LGA, Benue State After Killing of 11 by Armed Bandits
The Bureau Newspaper reports that Ukum Local Government Area in Benue State is gripped by tension following the brutal killing of 11 persons by heavily armed bandits on Wednesday morning.
Attack and Casualties:
- Incident Details: Dozens of armed men attacked Ayati, the headquarters of Borikyo ward, shooting dead 11 individuals and injuring many others.
- Immediate Impact: The attack has sparked massive protests in an area already plagued by insecurity despite several joint security operations aimed at curbing the violence.
Protest and Public Outcry:
- Community Response: Angry youths from Borikyo have taken to the streets, blocking the Sankera-Ayati-Sai road and the Ukum local government secretariat in a show of grief and frustration over the persistent killings.
- Vandalism: The protesters vandalized the council secretariat, smashing windows and destroying property with stones and sticks.
Eyewitness Accounts:
- A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the scene: “The gunmen opened fire and killed seven people on the spot at night. More bodies were recovered hours later, bringing the casualties to 11. Now, the youths are protesting seriously.”
- The resident added, “They have barricaded the roads with the dead bodies, demanding action from Governor Hyacinth Alia as the killings have continued for too long without any clear steps to end the violence.”
Government Response:
- Internal Security Adviser’s Statement: Chief Joseph Har, Internal Security Adviser to the Benue State Governor, confirmed the intensity of the protest, noting that the demonstrators were threatening to burn down the local government secretariat in response to the ongoing violence.
- Call for Action: The protesters are urging Governor Hyacinth Alia to take decisive action to address the insecurity and protect the lives of innocent and defenseless people in Ukum LGA.