Suspected armed militias attacked Ayati and Borikyo in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State on Wednesday.
Six residents were killed, and several others wounded in the attack.
According to local sources, the armed militia invaded the community on Wednesday afternoon, killing residents indiscriminately and burning public properties, including the Ukum Local Government Secretariat.
Many residents fled for their lives, but the unfortunate ones were hit by bullets, and several others were injured.
Properties belonging to prominent people in the area, including the residence of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Paul Biam, in Zaki Biam, were also burnt down during the attack.
In the aftermath of the attacks, residents were forced to gather en masse to block the Sankera-Ayati-Sai Road in protest against the incessant invasions of their homes by bandits.
The Ukum Local Government Area office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was razed during the protest against attacks by gunmen.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sewuese Anene, confirmed that six people were killed and many others wounded.
She said,
“Upon receipt of this information, police teams, in collaboration with other security agencies, rushed to the area and engaged these bandits who were eventually repelled.”
Meanwhile, the senator representing Benue North-East, Emmanuel Udende, has condemned the attack.
He called on security agencies to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of the killings.
