Gunmen kill 3 in Benue community
Gunmen have killed at least three people in separate incidents in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Residents told our correspondent that in the first incident, Kenneth Atsuega of Mbabai community was killed on Tuesday when he and four others attempted to assess the security situation in their area shortly after a routine […]
Gunmen have killed at least three people in separate incidents in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
Residents told our correspondent that in the first incident, Kenneth Atsuega of Mbabai community was killed on Tuesday when he and four others attempted to assess the security situation in their area shortly after a routine surveillance by security operatives.
Believing the area was safe, they ventured into the backyard and were ambushed. Kenneth was killed, while the others escaped.
On Wednesday, two brothers, Zaki Shaapera Mbatsuav and Terseer Mbatsuav, from Mbadwem Council Ward in the same Guma LGA, were ambushed and killed while farming at Gyungu-Amua along the Uikpam-Umenger road.
- Renewed Hope City Subscribers appeal for swift issuance of C-of-Os
- Woman accused of stealing 2-month-old baby in Ibadan
The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Ifeanyi Enemari, said that while clearance operations had dismantled major bandit camps in Guma, isolated killings continue to occur, which he described as “acts of culpable homicide.”
Enemari added that arrests had been made and investigations were ongoing. He also confirmed recent killings and cattle rustling in Agatu, warning residents against jungle justice.
He said he had deployed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) from Otukpo and another senior officer to Agatu to intensify security efforts.
The commissioner also disclosed that a tactical team had been deployed following the murder of a newlywed man, Jonathan Uko, and his friend, Gabriel Ogoda, who were killed on Monday while travelling on a motorcycle from Oju to Makurdi.
The attack occurred at Ulam along the Awajir-Oju road in Gwer East LGA.
Enemari noted that the killings may be linked to long-standing communal rivalry between Konshisha and Oju, although preliminary findings suggest the victims may have been attacked by armed robbers who stole their motorcycle.