One feared dead, several injured as fresh attacks hit Benue's Sankera axis

By James Ike

Fresh attacks have been reported in communities across the Sankera axis of Benue State, with one person feared dead and several others injured in a new wave of violence that has heightened fears among residents of Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas.

A community leader, Mr. James Andoaver, who raised the alarm over the weekend, alleged that armed men believed to be a combination of suspected herders and local bandits carried out coordinated attacks on several communities over the past three days.

According to Andoaver, the affected communities include Tse-Abali (Abari) Shor in Mbakesa, Ugbaam Council Ward of Ukum LGA, as well as Tongov along the Anyagba route leading to Achough and Kaseve in Tiir Council Ward of Katsina-Ala LGA.

He said the attackers invaded Tse-Abali Shor at about 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, where Mr. Utsenda Aber was reportedly killed, while his wife sustained serious machete injuries and is currently receiving treatment in hospital.

The community leader disclosed that Tse-Erukaa in Mbagar, Uyam Council Ward of Ukum LGA, was also attacked, although no casualty was recorded in that incident.

He further stated that the latest attacks came on the heels of recent assaults in the area, including an attack on security personnel stationed at Alabar in Kundav Council Ward and another on a farmer popularly known as "Yellow" along Ayati Road near the Atuluku-Ityoakoso axis. According to him, the farmer was attacked by four armed men, comprising three suspected herders and a local accomplice.

Andoaver also alleged that another resident, Amokaha Koonoon, was attacked with machetes after armed men reportedly moved through Tse-Anyier in Mbakorgba to Tse-Iam in Mbamena, Uyam Council Ward, on Thursday evening. The victim, he said, is currently receiving medical attention.

He expressed concern over what he described as a renewed wave of violence across Ukum and Katsina-Ala, saying residents now live in constant fear as armed groups continue to target communities and major roads in the Sankera axis. He identified roads considered unsafe as the Zaki-Biam-Sankera-Chito Road, Kyad-Tse-Burya Road, Kyado-Atsaam-Azabiam Road, Kyado-Atogbenda/Lafinkada Road and the Zaki-Biam-Bossua Road.

The community leader further alleged that armed groups had become increasingly active in Kundav, Uyam, Ugbaam, Borikyo, Kendev, Aterayange and Mbayenge council wards. He urged residents to avoid unnecessary night travel, remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies, stressing that insecurity had made life increasingly difficult for people in the area.

However, the Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Mr. Justin Shaaku, dismissed reports suggesting the incident was a renewed security attack, insisting it was a robbery.

"It was a robbery incident. Some people were robbed while returning home after the close of the market. It was not a security threat. Nobody was killed; the victims only sustained injuries," Shaaku said.

He added that the local government had made significant progress in tackling insecurity and vowed to sustain efforts to rid the area of criminal elements.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Chairman of Ukum LGA, Mr. Jonathan Modi, and the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as they could not be reached at the time of filing this report.