From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
At least 20 persons have been reportedly killed in Gbajir community, Ukum community in Ukum local government area as rival militia groups and suspected herdsmen invaded the community.
Amongst those murdered is a family of seven in Tse Adzandeh Mbasaa, Mbajiga, Ityuluv, Torov. They were all members of the Adzandeh family.
Report said members of the family were caught in a cross fire between two (2) rival militia groups; Full fire and Chain who are fighting for dominance in the area.
A traditional ruler in the area who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bloody fight started Tuesday morning after a Tiv militia leader in Ukum LGA, kidnapped another Fulani militia leader, one Alhaji Gana and his family members, who were known for banditry and kidnappings, from neighbouring Chinkai community in Wukari LGA of Taraba State.
He said, “after kidnapping them, he asked for N100million ransom but he was given N5million. After collecting the money he killed the hostages.
The murder of the hostages sparked outrage among his gang members in Taraba State. This happened over the weekend.
“What followed was that another militia gang leader in Ukum now went and joined forces with the Fulani militia gang in Taraba to help them eliminate the rival gang in Ukum that killed their leader, Alhaji Gana.
“The essence was to enable him be the head of militia in Ukum.
“In fact, when people noticed the movement of the armed Fulani militia into Benue communities, the Chiefs informed the political leaders who immediately briefed Governor Hyacinth Alia who equally alerted the military for swift action.
“It was this timely response of the Governor to the intel and the intervention of the OPWS that saved the people of Ukum LGA because we gathered that they planned to kill hundreds of people in Ukum as revenge for the murdered Fulani militia leader but it is their gang war and innocent residents have nothing to do with that.
“Over 1,000 of them have laid siege on Ukum LGA as we speak that is why we are appealing to the military to save us before they wipe out our innocent families.
“As we speak these people are still in the bushes in Ukum, they have not moved back to Taraba.
We need more security posts in and around the area and we also appeal to the Governors of Benue and Taraba States to team up and put an end to the activities of these cross border criminals. They should support the military with logistics also.” the source apoealed.
Commenting on the incident, the lawmaker representing Ukum State Constituency Hon. Ezra Nyiyongo claimed that about 20 people died in the attack.
He expressed deep worry over the incessant attacks on his constituents, urging that more proactive measures be employed to stop the killings.
Responding to the incident, an anonymous source from Operation Whirl Stroke said, “these are militia men killing themselves. Yes, we acknowledge that probably one or two people may have been caught in the cross fire, but the majority of the people that were killed are members of the militia gangs in the area.
“Currently, we are in Kwande and are trying to contain the situation in the area and as you can see, calm has been restored to the area. We have been able to flush the herdsmen out of the area and can assure you normalcy would be restored.
“But be that as it may, our troops are in Ukum, to ensure that the attack does not affect innocent people”.
