20 gunmen attack Benue community

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

No fewer than 20 unidentified gunmen said to have disguised in military uniform early hours of yesterday attacked Daudu, Guma local government area of Benue State.

Daudu town which is located about 16 kilometres away on the Lafia high way was amongst the areas affected by the recent clash between Tiv farmers and Fulani marauders.

Though, there was no reported loss of life, however, residents of the area who spoke with our correspondent, said the gunmen stormed the area in a commando manner at about 2 am, forced their way into houses and subjected them including children and women to severe beating while searching for arms.

One of the victims, a police officer, ASP Gabriel Akombo who is theOfficer in charge of Daudu Police station confirmed the incident, saying that he was away on duty when the incident happened and returned to see his apartment broken and ransacked.

Akombo said he has since written and lodged a report at the police divisional station in Gbajimba.

Another resident, Joseph Alaki, a student of the College of Education Katsina Ala, said the gunmen demanded  arms from him and the whereabouts of one Joseph Tsesambe whose picture they paraded.

A 70-year old woman, Mama Sarah Apu lamented that the gunmen who are in their thirties did not show any respect for her age and beat her up severely. She appealed to security agents to investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Tsesambe who the gunmen searched for, said he could not remember having issues with any one and wondered how the assailants got his picture. He therefore called on Police and other security agencies to do everything to secure his life and those of other member of the community When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Daniel Ezeala, denied knowledge of the attack.