HEADLINENEWS.NEWS Correspondent gathered that No fewer than 60 people have been killed as gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked Ayati village of the Ukum Local Government area of Benue State.
The terrorists stormed the farming community on the evening of Thursday, August 8, 2024.
According to a villager who lost five of his relatives during the attack, two policemen were also killed by the bandits
“On 08/08/2024, at about 1630hrs while normal daily activities were going on in Ayati village, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue state, a large number of armed bandits invaded the village and started shooting sporadically at members of the community, killing over 60 of the villagers,” the source said.
This was corroborated by an eyewitness identified as Shima Ayati who said more persons may have been killed but only thirty corpses have been recovered as more than 60 bandits stormed Ayati village, shooting anything in sight.
“They came on motorcycles from Sai road at about on Thursday evening, and immediately open fire on residents of Ayati village, killing more than thirty persons as many people are still missing, but only thirty corpses have been recovered”.
Ayati further noted that “The bandits were hunting people from one house to another, shooting and killing many people with some killed on the spot, while others died on their way to the hospital in Zaki Baim with many injuries recorded on the part of survivors.
Ayati village is one of the many farming communities in the dreaded Sankera axis of Benue state, comprising Katsina-Ala, Logo, and Ukum local government areas.
This is the second attack on Ayati village within one month. Six persons were killed in an earlier attack, leading to last month’s violent protests in Zaki Biam.
The state police command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident but said she was yet to get details of the attack.
She said, “I’m aware there was an attack and I’m waiting for briefing from officers on ground.”
Meanwhile, the state’s governor, Hyacinth Alia has expressed deep sadness over the incident.
In a statement by Tersoo Kula, his chief press secretary, Governor Alia condemned the attack, expressing worry that such a heinous act has continued in the state despite a strong security presence.
“He, however, makes a firm determination to continue to use lawful procedures to protect Benue people, particularly Ukum which has been on the front line of attacks lately,” the statement read.
Governor Alia called on security personnel to improve their surveillance and also ensure that vulnerable communities are not left unguarded while the government awaits the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to bring out its findings.
The Benue leader also consoled the families of those who died in the attack, saying his thoughts of comfort and prayers are with them and with the entire people of Ukum Local Government.
