Attah Ede, Makurdi
Suspected armed militia group allegedly known as Shitile militia, on Saturday morning launched a bloody attack on Zaki Akpuuna and Diom communities of Mbaterem district in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, killing over 20 persons.
The Network learnt that the Shitile militia stormed the communities at about 8 am on Saturday and started shooting sporadically.
They were said to have killed over 20 members of the communities and destroyed several properties.
A community leader who spoke to our correspondent on condition of aninomity ,described it as an unprovoked attacks noting that communities they were taken unaware.
““You know that the three local government areas in Sankera axis had long been under these local bandits headed by Gana, and since he was killed, his men have divided them and they have been controlled by their leaders.
“The cause of this morning attack is not known yet but the information we heard was that some gunmen numbering about 20 invaded Akpuuna and other villages in Ukum local government and killed many people and burnt down several houses.
“So far, 24 bodies have been recovered and the search is still on to find missing people.
The chairman of Ukum local government area, Mr. Kartyo Tyoumbur who is the Chief security officer, confirmed the incident.
He also disclosed that over 20 bodies of the dead had been recovered from the two villages.
“I learnt that after they attacked Akpuuna and Diom, the armed gang fled the scene but on getting to the Tine-Nune community on the Zaki Biam-Wukari Road they met the military who confronted them.
“Though no one knows how many of them were killed, but I believe some of them must have been neutralised in that exchange.”
The Benue State Command police public relations officer, SP Catherine Anene could not be reached as all efforts to get her reaction proved abortive.
Efforts to get the spokesman for Operation Whirl Stroke, Flt Lt. D.O. Oquah were not successful as his cellphone did not connect.
It would be recalled that Ukum is one of the three killing-spots in Sankera axis which local bandits suspected to be gang members of the slain Terwase Akwaza aka Gana had occupied in the last 8 years.
