In a tragic incident on Friday night, at least 18 residents of the Mbacher community in the Mbacher council ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Benue State, were killed by a group suspected to be bandits.
Local sources indicate that the attack occurred around 11 pm, despite a government-imposed curfew from 6 pm to 6 am in the Sankera axis, which includes Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo. This region has been facing persistent security issues.
Reports say that the assailants gathered the villagers under the guise of addressing them before suddenly opening fire.
PUNCH confirmed the incident through Justine Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, who noted that the bandits completed their assault before military forces could reach the village.
Shaku recounted, “At approximately 11 pm yesterday (Friday), we received a distress call from the villagers, reporting that a group of terrorists was moving from house to house, coercing individuals to follow them.”
He added, “I quickly mobilized the military officers stationed in Tor Doonga, but by the time they arrived, the massacre had already occurred.”
Shaku also mentioned that several people were injured in the attack. “Yesterday night, I was told it was 17, but today 18 people have been confirmed dead. All of them were assembled in one place and killed.”
“This morning, I, the assembly member, and the adviser on legislative matters held a meeting and communicated the development to the Commissioner of Police,” Shaku added.
Describing the activities of the bandits as a ‘guerrilla type of war,’ the chairman stated, “I no longer call them bandits because I see elements of terrorism in their activities. So, I classify them as terrorists now. They are terrorists within, though they have external forces aiding them. The locals are the major perpetrators.”
When SaharaReporters contacted Police Public Relations Officer SP Catherine Anene, she requested text messages. However, she had not responded at the time of filing this report.
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