By Ijeoma Obioma in Makurdi.
CP.Steve H. Yabanet.
Commissioner of Police in Benue state.
Benue State was thrown into mourning in the early hours of Friday following coordinated attacks by armed assailants that left at least, 17 people dead in rural communities across Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas of the state.
Our correspondent reports that the assaults, which took place between late Thursday night and the early hours of Friday, have once again spotlighted the escalating insecurity plaguing parts of the state.
Eyewitnesses report that the gunmen, suspected to be militia elements, stormed Gbagir village in Ukum LGA under the cover of darkness, opening fire indiscriminately on residents and farmers.
Consequently, Panic spread rapidly as villagers fled into surrounding bushes to escape the onslaught.
Sources added that simultaneously, another group of attackers struck in neighbouring Logo LGA, where twelve more lives were lost before any security intervention could be mounted.
Confirming the incidents, the spokesperson for the Police Command in the State,CSP Catherine Anene, said security operatives were immediately mobilised after intelligence reports surfaced around 9 p.m. on Thursday.
“Tactical teams were deployed to repel the militia, who were shooting sporadically at civilians,” she stated.
Anene further disclosed that five bodies were recovered from Gbagir and taken to a hospital, where they were confirmed dead.
“In Logo, twelve additional casualties were recorded in what appears to be a coordinated attack. Security teams are still in pursuit of the fleeing assailants, believed to be heading toward the Taraba forest,” she added.
Meanwhile,the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP.Steve H. Yabanet, has condemned the circulation of false and exaggerated reports on social media, warning that such misinformation could incite panic and disrupt public order. He urged residents to remain calm and continue cooperating with security agencies.
Military helicopters are reportedly conducting surveillance and bombardments in the Sankera axis in a bid to flush out the attackers and restore calm.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
