Seven Killed, Two Missing in Attacks on Benue, Plateau

Seven persons have been killed and two policemen declared missing in separate attacks on communities in Benue and Plateau states.

While three people were killed and two policemen were missing in the attack in Benue State, four were killed in Plateau State by gunmen.

The attack in Benue occurred in Jootar, a border settlement between the state and Taraba State and was said to have been carried out by people suspected to be Jukun militia.

According to a resident of the area, the militia stormed the border community about 4.00 a.m. yesterday through Wukari in Taraba State and started shooting sporadically.

The source added that the latest attack came without any provocation, confirming that at least three Tiv farmers lost their lives, while over 100 houses were also raised down.

He added that the militia operated unchallenged for about three hours despite the presence of the federal government’s Special Forces in Wukari, two kilometres away from the attacked community.

Reacting to the incident, Ukum Local Government Caretaker Chairman, Hon. Tortyokaa Ibellogo, condemned the attack, describing it as most unfortunate.

He wondered why the militia would cross over to Benue where there was no crisis, adding that Tiv farmers in Benue were not at war with the Jukun people.

“To the best of my knowledge, this is supposed to be a crisis between the Tiv and the Jukun people in Taraba State and has nothing to do with Benue. In my state, Benue, we have Jukun in Abintse and Wurukum in Guma and Makurdi living peacefully with the Tiv people.

“I want to call on the Inspector General of Police (IG), Chief of Army Staff and President of Nigeria to as a matter of urgency intervene in this crisis. Already, we are trying to maintain a social distancing in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected Benue, Nigeria and the entire world,” Ibellogo said.

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