Thirteen persons were feared dead as gunmen attacked Tse Chia
Mbarstev ward near Kasaa in Zaki Biam Local Government Area of Benue
State between Friday and Saturday.
The attack is coming barely five days after some gunmen invaded Zaki
Biam town, destroying the International Yam market and killing over 50
persons.
Reports from the village said that some gunmen invaded the village
around 1am on Friday and set ablaze four buildings while another set
of gunmen were said to have embarked on a reprisal attack on Saturday
setting houses ablaze killing about ten persons.
The source said, “Around 1am on Friday some gunmen entered our village
and set ablaze four buildings, one of the buildings belongs to a
family of three who were burnt to ashes.
“In a reprisal attack, a gang of gunmen stormed the area and shot at
people, killing about ten persons and injuring several others.”
“As am talking to you now, the village has been deserted,” the source added.
Benue State Police Public Relations’ Officer, ASP Moses Moses Yamu,
confirmed the incident but said that three persons were killed and
described it as a reprisal attack.
“What happened is that youths from Zaki Biam mobilised themselves and
went on a reprisal attack in the area. They burnt down the house of
one of the drivers of the gunmen who attacked Zaki Biam last Tuesday.
“Four flats were burnt and three persons were killed. I want to urge
the youths not to take the law into their hands but allow law
enforcement agencies do their job,” Yamu appealed.