Mass killing resumes in Benue

By AKANNI HAMDALAT OPEYEMI

Hostilities and killing of indigenes have resumed in Katsina/Ala Local Government Area, Benue State, sending signal that the amnesty programme of Governor Samuel Ortom has failed to encourage youths in the state to surrender their arms. According indigenes of the state have become vulnerable again to merchants of violence who have facile access to dangerous weapons.

National Daily gathered that unknown gunmen, at the weekend, invaded Atongo Village in Katsina Ala Local Government Area, Benue State, killing one man and injuring many others.

The gunmen were gathered to have inflicted bullet wounds on many indigenes of the community, among who was the deceased son.

It was gathered that an eyewitness narrated that the gunmen conveyed round the community on two motorbikes and a pick-up van, were shooting sporadically to intimidate the indigenes with their presence in the community.

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He had narrated: “They invaded our village late Saturday night, when many had gone to bed and several young men were still outside. But everyone was rattled by the sporadic gunshots.

“No one was expecting such because the people have been living in peace, hence, the sound of gunshots sent fears into everyone and people started running for their lives. The siege lasted few minutes.

“Unfortunately, when the gang left, we later discovered that the victim was killed in the confusion, while some other persons sustained bullet wounds, including the 14-year-old son of the deceased.

“His remains have been deposited at the General Hospital, while the injured persons, including his son, are receiving treatment at the same hospital.”

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent Moses Yamu, was gathered to have claimed he has details of the attack in the community