Ten people were reportedly killed on Monday at the Ukoosaa-Atam community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attack, according to locals, was a reprisal by one of the rival bandit groups.
Rival bandit groups, Chain and Full Force, both from Ukum LGA, engaged in a battle of supremacy on Friday, leading to the death of 15 of them.
It was gathered that since the battle for supremacy last Friday, the bandits have been engaging in reprisals, this time on innocent people.
A native of Ukoosaa-Atam who spoke to our correspondent on the phone on Tuesday said the gunmen rode motorcycles and attacked innocent people.
The local who did not want his name in print said, “Some local bandits on Monday rode to Ukoosa-Atam, a kilometre after Ayati town, headquarters of Borikyo council ward, Ukum LGA.
“The gunmen came and attacked a Keke NAPEP, killing all the passengers and the driver. The gunmen rode on motorcycles and were shooting indiscriminately, and they also attacked the surrounding houses in the village, at the end of the day 10 corpses were found.”
The source added, “This is one among the several attacks on the community.
Another local source said, “Since Chain and Full Force fought over supremacy last Friday, it has been one attack or the other within the local government.”
The locals, however, called on both the state and federal governments to provide security in Ukum LGA.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, said she was out of town.
Meanwhile, the State Security Adviser, Joseph Har, who said the government was aware of the situation in Ukum LGA, noted that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia was doing everything possible to restore peace in the area and across the state.
Har said, “Government is working seriously to tackle the security challenges in the state, particularly, in Sankera axis, (nay Ukum LGA) We are going to use carrots and sticks approach.”
