Gunmen have killed no fewer than 18 people and kidnapped three others at Mbache Ward in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

It was gathered that the people were killed during an attack on the community on Friday, July 19, 2024.

Confirming the incident on Saturday, the Caretaker Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Justine Shaku, disclosed that a father and his two children were also kidnapped during the attack.

Shaku said he received a distress call at 11 p.m. on Friday that some gunmen were ransacking and forcing people to follow them.

He said: “I quickly notified the military officers at Tor Donga but before they could reach Mbache Ward where the incident was happening, the gunmen had killed 18 persons and left with three others.

“Yesterday (Friday) night, I was told it was 17, but today (Saturday) 18 bodies have been confirmed dead.

“All of them were assembled in one place and killed.

“This morning, I, the assembly member, and adviser on legislative matters held a meeting and we communicated the development to the Commissioner of Police.

“He is on his way coming. Since he is coming we asked the villagers to wait and let him join us here in Katsina-Ala town before we visit the scene.

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“Some people were kidnapped; one man and his two children were kidnapped.

“In recent days apart from what happened yesterday (Friday) we have pockets of kidnappings. Kidnapping is also resurfacing in the area.”

The council chairman said the security situation in LGA was not encouraging, but expressed optimism that there was hope at the end of the tunnel.

Shaku added: “They are local terrorists. I no longer call them bandits because I’m seeing hands/elements of terrorism in their activities.

“The people should be calm; Governor Hyacinth Alia is committed to keeping our societies safe from such acts.

“They should be assured that very soon it will be things in the past.”

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene, also confirmed the incident, saying an investigation into the attack was ongoing.

Anene added that security had been beefed up and normalcy had returned to the affected area.

The Star