Gunmen have killed three persons and abducted two others in an attack on mourners in Sati-Ikov Council Ward, Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Residents said the incident occurred on Saturday night as the victims were returning from a burial when they were ambushed near the community by suspected local militias.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said the attackers opened fire on the mourners, killing three on the spot and abducting two others.
The lawmaker representing Ushongo State Constituency, Simon Gabo, confirmed the attack on Sunday and condemned the rising wave of violence in the area.
He identified the deceased as Bem Msughter, Aondo Chia, and Sunday Terwase, all from communities within the ward. The abducted victims were named as Aondongu Amos, a POS operator, and Mrs Arinze, a trader.
Gabo said the area had witnessed repeated attacks in recent weeks, noting that three persons were also killed in a similar incident about two weeks ago.
He alleged that the attackers often cross from neighbouring Katsina-Ala Local Government Area into Ushongo to carry out attacks before retreating through forested routes.
The lawmaker said the matter had been reported to security agencies, adding that police personnel had been deployed to the community.
Efforts to get a response from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful as calls to the command’s spokesperson went unanswered as of the time of filing this report.
The incident has heightened fears among residents amid growing insecurity in parts of the state.
