A devastating attack by armed bandits over the weekend in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State has resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people. Numerous others were abducted and have been taken to undisclosed locations, while several sustained injuries of varying severity.
Catherine Sewuese Anene, the state's police spokesperson, confirmed the tragic incident, stating that the police command has initiated a full-scale investigation. "The attack in Kastina-Ala is confirmed. Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing as normalcy has returned in the area. Details will get to you as soon as the police on the ground send a report," Anene said.
According to reports gathered by the Sunday Telegraph, the attack occurred around 11 p.m. on Friday night. The bandits, who invaded the community in large numbers, opened fire indiscriminately on the residents.
Justine Shaku, the caretaker committee chairman of the local government, confirmed the attack via phone, revealing that soldiers received an intelligence report about the incursion into Mbache village. Unfortunately, by the time the soldiers arrived, the bandits had already inflicted significant damage and fled.
"Yes, I can confirm that 18 people were killed and two others wounded by terrorists in my local government area. The incident happened at 11 p.m. on Friday night," Shaku stated. He elaborated that the bandits moved from house to house, forcing residents to follow them. Despite quickly mobilizing military officers from Tor Donga, the remote location delayed their arrival, allowing the bandits to carry out their attack.
Shaku further detailed the extent of the tragedy: "Some were wounded. I was told it was 17 people that died but today, 18 people have been confirmed dead. All of them were assembled in one place and killed."
In response to the attack, Shaku, alongside the House of Assembly member and the Adviser on Legislative Matters, held a meeting and reported the incident to the Commissioner of Police. He described the attack as guerrilla warfare, noting that the region had experienced relative calm in July until this incident.
"Even those whose houses they were ransacking in the council ward in question had moved back to their homes and things appeared calm before this attack," Shaku added. He also mentioned that some people, including an Igbo man and his two children, were kidnapped prior to the attack.
Shaku called for calm among the residents, assuring them of the government's commitment to ensuring their safety. He expressed confidence that such attacks would soon be a thing of the past.
Chief Joseph Har, the special adviser to the Benue State Governor on Internal Security, also confirmed the attack, acknowledging the fatalities but noting that he did not have full details of the incident.
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