A dark cloud has descended over Ukum Local Government Area in Benue State following a merciless attack by an unknown armed gang on Adogo Ugbaam, Akpuuna, and Diom communities. Regrettably, the attack has resulted in the loss of at least 27 innocent lives.
The harrowing attack has not only claimed lives but has also left several individuals in critical condition, with their lives hanging in the balance.
The armed men carried out a chilling assault on a funeral gathering in Adogo Ugbaam community on Friday night, resulting in the tragic deaths of three mourners.
The disturbing events unfolded on Saturday morning, as yet another gang unleashed chaos upon Akpuuna and Diom communities. The attack claimed the lives of 24 victims.
The account provided by an unnamed local source states that the armed men arrived on motorcycles, their intentions unclear. At around 9 p.m., they launched a brutal attack on Adogo Ugbaam village, claiming the lives of three mourners.
With the local market teeming with vibrant activity the following morning, the attackers seized the opportunity to perpetrate their ruthless assault on Akpuuna and Diom communities, leaving the residents traumatized and grieving.
He said: ‘Nobody saw this coming; the armed men stormed Diom and Akpuuna on motorbikes at about 11 am, when the local market in the community had picked up with activities after killing three mourners at Adogo Ugbaam village last night (Friday) at about 9p.m.’
‘At Akpuuna and Diom they shot at anybody they saw, mercilessly killing the people in the market and the two neighbouring villages.’
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‘There was pandemonium; people ran for their lives but many could not escape. Apart from those killed, many are still missing; and from all indications that number will rise.’
‘After killing the people and injuring many, the armed men set fire on people’s property and fled the scene.’
‘As we speak people are fleeing the attacked communities but the search for missing persons is ongoing. It is a sad day for our people.’
In an official statement, Mr. Kartyo Tyoumbur, the Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area, has verified the heartbreaking news, confirming that a total of 24 bodies have been recovered from the two villages that suffered the attacks.
He said: ‘I learned that after attacking Akpuuna and Diom, the armed gang fled the scene but on getting to the Tine-Nune community on the Zaki Biam-Wukari Road they met the military who confronted them.’
‘Though no one knows how many of them were killed, but I believe some of them must have been neutralised in that exchange.’
Mr. Kartyo Tyoumbur, the Chairman, condemned the attack, expressing his utter dismay and stressing that the motive behind the attackers’ actions is currently unknown.
Superintendent Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer, officially confirmed the incident through a statement, revealing that at about 12 p.m., a militia gang conducted an invasion of Akpuna village in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, during which they unleashed sporadic gunfire.
In response to the received information, the police swiftly coordinated with other security agencies and expedited their teams’ deployment to the area. United in their efforts, they engaged the bandits and successfully repulsed their assault.