Violence was again unleashed in Benue as gunmen raided several communities and killed four individuals including one policeman on Thursday.
The gunmen had invaded Tse Ujondo and Tse Uvia, in Zaki Biam town, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State and killed four people including one police officer.
Asides from the four murdered people, the gunmen proceeded to abduct a mobile policeman on special duty in the area and also burnt a police checkpoint near the Zaki Biam Mechanic Village.
The attack was so sudden and fierce that shop owners and market women locked up shops while the residents of the town itself fled into the bushes for fear of their lives.
A source from the Ukim local government council who spoke to Punch Newspapers on condition of anonymity said the council was yet to ascertain the cause of the attack.
He added that the council chairman had already alerted security men who had gone to the scene of violence to restore the peace.
“We cannot tell exactly the number of casualties now because people ran away from the attack point and security men, who had gone to maintain peace in the area, have yet to return,” he said.
Confirming the incident however, the Benue State Police Command, however, said three persons were killed, including the policeman, whose firearm was stolen.
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The police command then proceeded to issue a statement through its spokesperson, DSP Moses Yamu;
“The police in Ukum around 11am on Thursday received information that some armed militia, aka Gana Boys, dressed in Mobile Police Force and Special Forces uniforms, were approaching Zaki Biam town through bush paths. They were said to be riding motorcycles.
It is important to note that their plan was to escape the ongoing joint operation tagged, ‘Whirl Stroke,’ targeted at their enclaves, which forced them out to possibly seek refuge in the town.
The DPO of Ukum division quickly alerted and mobilised security forces around in order to repel the militia.
An intense gun duel ensued during which regrettably, one policeman, who was fatally injured and his rifle taken away by the militia, was rushed to a hospital alongside two yet-to-be identified civilians (a woman and a boy). They were confirmed dead at the hospital.