7 killed as Bandits invade Benue community

Witnesses told our correspondent that the incident which happened about 5pm on Thursday, caused pandemonium in the area.

The witnesses said that the bandits stormed the rural community in their numbers and opened fire on whoever was in sight.

Chairman of Kastina-Ala LGA, Alfred Atera, confirmed to journalists in Makurdi that 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 Guards 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 5pm and 5:30pm. According to the volunteer guards, they (bandits) are the remnant 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 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 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 that four out of the seven people killed were members of the vigilante group.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, said, “we have not received such report please.”