Tragedy in Benue as Bandit Kills Residents in Ukum Community

Tragedy struck Afia community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday morning when a man, suspected to be a bandit, went on a shooting spree, leaving several people dead.

The attacker, popularly known by the nickname ‘Government’, reportedly picked up a gun early in the day and started firing randomly at people in the area.

According to local sources, the suspect had a history of mental illness. “He had mental issues about two months ago and received treatment. But on Tuesday, he woke up, took a gun and started shooting everyone in sight, killing many,” a resident told our correspondent.

The deadly incident came just days after suspected armed herders attacked communities in both Ukum and Logo LGAs between Thursday and Friday, leaving at least 72 people dead as of the last report.

Speaking on the latest violence, Benue State Commissioner for Information, Matthew Abo, confirmed the attack. In a phone conversation, he said, “I’m not aware that the man had any mental illness. What I gathered is that a known bandit, who goes by the nickname ‘Government’, picked up a gun on Tuesday morning and started shooting randomly, killing many people.”

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The commissioner, however, did not confirm the number of people killed in the incident. When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, said she had not yet received information about the incident.

The recent killings have added to growing concerns over security in Benue State. Residents of Ukum and surrounding areas have been living in fear as attacks by armed groups, including bandits and suspected herders, have become more frequent.

The Benue State government is yet to release an official statement on the steps being taken to address the rising violence in the region.

As security challenges continue to escalate, locals are calling for urgent intervention to prevent further bloodshed and restore peace in the affected communities.

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