CHECKPOINTCHARLEY has been reliably informed by a Makurdi Government House official, who accompanied Governor Samuel Ortom on a tour of Zaki Biam after gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen killed 52 people, that natives said the gunmen (about 30 of them) operated for three hours, slaughtering people and burning houses, without any response from security forces.
The Death toll in Monday’s attacks on Zaki Biam International Market in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State has risen to 52, the source said.
Natives told the governor and his team that 13 persons were killed at the Zaki Biam International Yam Market, five from the National Secondary School, eight at Debeer and over 15 at Asahatar Village.
Several persons were also abducted, the locals said.
They say about 30 gunmen, armed with sophisticated weapons, entered the town in a pick-up van, a Toyota Corolla and seven motorcycles, invaded the Yam Market around 3pm, firing sporadically into the air to scare away the people.
“Before now, they had written a letter that they would attack the area. They wore military uniform. They attacked Zaki Biam International Yam Market, killing 13 people and injuring over 10 persons.
“The gunmen were chanting a song that meant anyone who is brave should come out. The operation lasted for over three hours and security men in the area did nothing only for them to arrest innocent people later,” an eye witness, who pleaded anonymity said.
The attackers burnt many houses and several people reportedly have fled the area, while shops and other institutions remained closed.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday condemned the killings and directed security agencies to begin immediate investigation into the killings.
The president lamented the wanton killings being witnessed in parts of the country lately, saying Nigerians had lost value for human life.
Buhari ordered security and law enforcement agencies to rise to the occasion and end what he called “this blight on the image of the country.”
Meanwhile, Governor Ortom appealed to natives to remain calm. He assured them that security agents would be deployed in the area to restore peace and promised the culprits would be arrested.
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