Even as the World is groaning under the COVID -19 pandemic, Nigeria inclusive, gunmen on Wednesday killed10 persons in Mbamena community and Jootar, all in Ukum LGA and Tyomu in Abinsi, Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.
Newsmen gathered that while three persons were killed at Jooter, six were killed in Mbamena and one person in Tyomu community.
It was also gathered that while the killing in Jootar, a border settlement between Benue and Taraba State were carried by Jukun militia, the killing of six persons at Mbamena settlement including a nursing woman was carried out by local militia from Tongov area who were out on reprisal mission.
It was further gathered that the militia gang belonging to their kingpin-Ujoondo had three days ago, invaded the Tongov community of Katsina-Ala local area killing one person, a development which sparked off the reprisal attack.
Speaking to newsmen on the Jootar attack, a local who spoke on the grounds of anonymity said, the militia men from Taraba state stormed the border community of Jooter at about 4:00a.m through Wukari and started shooting sporadically.
According to the source, the latest attack came without any provocation, adding that at least three Tiv farmers lost their lives while over 200 houses and other properties worth millions of Naira were also destroyed.
The informant intimated further that the Jukum militia operated unchallenged for about three hours even as federal government special forces are stationed in Wukari , 2 Kilometres away from the attacked community.
Confirming the incident, Caretaker Committee Chairman for Ukum LGA, Mr. Tortyokaa Ibellogo, condemned the attack saying six people were killed in his area.
Ibellego who pointed out that Tiv farmers in Benue were not at war with Jukun, wondered why the Jukun militia will cross over to Benue where there is no crisis to kill innocent farmers.
“To the best of my knowledge this is supposed to be a crisis between the Tiv and Jukun in Taraba state and has nothing to do with Benue. In my state Benue, we have Jukun in Abinsi and Wurukum in Guma and Makurdi living peacefully with the Tiv people.
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“I want to call on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Chief of Army Staff and President of Nigeria to as a matter of urgency intervene in this crisis. Already we are trying to maintain a social distance to face the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected Benue, Nigeria and the entire world.” Ibellogo concluded.
Also confirming the incident, the Benue State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Sewuese Anne, confirmed that three unidentified corpses have been recovered while Two officers on duty in the area are yet to be found.
“Incident at Jootar is confirmed. Three unidentified corpses have been recovered. Two officers on duty in the area yet to be found. Investigation is still in progress”, Anene said.
Also, the force commander operation whirl stroke, Major General Adeyemi Yekini, said the situation is under control as troops have been drafted to the affected areas.
“As early as 4:00a.m this morning (Wednesday), our troops went and stationed there and we are not aware of anyone killed as at that time and none of our officer is missing”, Yekini explained.
Meanwhile the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom, Mr. Terver Akase has condemned the killings saying “It is quite unfortunate that this is coming at a time that the whole world is at a standstill, when world economies are grounded. It is regrettable that at a time when people should join hands to fight COVID 19, people are taking arms against themselves.”
Akase who noted that there would be an end to this crisis soon said Governor Ortom is determined to quell any skirmishes in the state and would be meeting with his Taraba state counterpart to deepen discussions that will bring lasting peace to the state.
