Again, gunmen kill four persons, police officer in Benue

Again, gunmen suspected to be local militias struck at Zaki Biam in Ukum Local Council of Benue State at 10 am yesterday killing four persons and a police officer.

The Guardian learnt that the gunmen in their numbers invaded Tse-Ujondo, Tse Uvia and Zaki-Biam Mechanic Village shooting sporadically and killing the victims.

It was gathered that the gunmen also burnt down the police checkpoint located near the Zaki-Biam Mechanic Village.

An eyewitness in the area told The Guardian that the attack was masterminded by members of a wanted notorious criminal gang led by Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as Gana.

But another resident of the area alleged that an aggrieved politician, who lost the primary election of his party, sponsored the attack.

Consequently, traders in the town were forced to close down their shops, while residents ran into the bush for safety.

An aide to Chairman of Ukum Local Council, who craved anonymity, said they were yet to ascertain the cause of the attack, adding that the chairman has already alerted security men who have gone to the flashpoint to maintain peace.

But confirming the attack, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said the Gana militia boys engaged security forces in a gun duel during which a police officer and two unidentified civilians were killed.

He said three other persons who sustained injuries were receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital at Zaki-Biam.

However, Benue State Police Commissioner (CP), Ene Okon, has raised the alarm over the proliferation of arms in the state, accusing politicians of arming thugs ahead of the 2019 general elections.

He stated this yesterday when he hosted leaders of Mdzough U Tiv, Ochetoha K’ Idoma, OKI and the Omi Ny’ Igede, noting that the command was fully aware of the plot.

He advised the leaders the tribal groups to tell politicians in their domains that it would be better to have peaceful election in the state rather than stockpile arms as they were doing and for which the force is aware.

Meanwhile, the security chiefs have raised¬ the alarm over proliferation¬ of arms ahead of the 2019 general elect¬ion.

They raised the alarm during a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja to consider the threats posed by ¬arms proliferation and fears of pre and post-election violence in the country.

Among those who attended the meeting wer¬e Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen. Mans¬ur Dan-Ali (rtd.), National Security Adv¬iser, Maj. Gen. Babangana Monguno (rtd.), C¬hief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Tukur B¬uratai, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admir¬al Ibok Ekwe Ibas, Chief of Air Staff, A¬ir Marshal Sadique Abubakar and Ins¬pector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.