Bandits have invaded Mbacher community in Mbacher Council Ward, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, killing 18 people and injuring many other residents.
Reports said the bandits invaded the community late Friday night in spite of the ongoing curfew imposed on the area by the state government .
The bandits were said to have gathered the villagers under the pretence of addressing them before opening fire.
Report further said that 18 bodies of the victims were recovered by the military on Saturday morning.
Confirming the attack, the Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government, Justine Shaku, said the bandits had caused havoc before military men arrived the scene.
“At about 11:00 pm yesterday (Friday), we received a distress call from the villagers that a group of terrorists were moving from house to house, forcing people to follow them.
“I quickly mobilized the military officers in Tor Doonga, but due to the remote location, the attack was over by the time they arrived,” Shaku stated.
Shaku also mentioned that several people were wounded during the attack.
“I was told it was 17, but today 18 people have been confirmed dead.
All of them were assembled in one place and killed,” he added.
The council chairman described the activities of the gunmen as “local terrorism”, noting that their tactics resemble guerrilla warfare.
“I no longer call them bandits because I’m seeing elements of terrorism in their activities.
“They are terrorists within, though they have external forces aiding them.
The locals are the major perpetrators,” Shaku added.
Efforts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, for confirmation were unsuccessful as her phone rang out.
However, the Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Joseph Har, confirmed the incident.
Recall that the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, had two weeks ago imposed a 6:00 pm to 6:00 am curfew on the Sankera axis following a violent protest in Ukum LGA.
The Sankera axis, comprising Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo, has been a hotspot for criminal activities in the state. (vitalnewsngr.com)
