Gunmen suspected to be armed herders have killed six people in a renewed attack in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The incident happened at Tse Ugema Chul, Mbakesa, Ugbaam a few kilometres from Zaki Biam, headquarters of Ukum LGA on Saturday.
A resident from the area, who didn’t want to be named, told newsmen on the phone on Sunday that seven dead bodies had been recovered while many others were still missing.
PUNCH Metro gathered that some youths in the area had mobilised themselves to chase away cattle that strayed into their farmlands and destroyed their yams.
The source said, “While the youths were going after the cattle, unknown gunmen who laid ambush opened fire and killed some of the youths as of Saturday evening. Six bodies have been recovered.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Benue State Command, CSP Catherine Anene, said she had yet to get the report from Ukum.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ukum LG, Mr Jonathan Modi, has confirmed the attack.
Modi who earlier said he was on his way to the community on Sunday told our correspondent that he was not in a good frame of mind to grant any interview.
He said, “I just can’t talk about the issue. If not because you are my friend, I wouldn’t have picked up your calls. I don’t like granting interviews on the phone. Please, can you come to Zaki Biam so that we can talk face-to-face?
“I am in Zaki Biam right now, in pain about what happened in the area. Even right now, if the governor calls me to speak on the situation, I will tell him I can’t speak on the phone unless I see him face to face. So, please, don’t be offended. I am in pain. Thanks.”(Punch)
