Three killed, two abducted as gunmen ambush Benue mourners

The Punch reports a grim incident in Benue State, where armed militias have turned parts of Ushongo Local Government Area into a battlefield. The attack on mourners returning from a burial, resulting in three deaths and two abductions, underscores the pervasive insecurity plaguing the region.

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Some mourners who were returning from a burial were attacked close to our community, Sati-Ikov, on Saturday night by local militias.

Residents, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisals, detailed how the attackers ambushed the group near Sati-Ikov. The victims, identified by name, were all young men. This brazen act highlights the audacity of these armed groups, who reportedly cross from the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area to launch their assaults before retreating.

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Three of them were killed, while two others, a male and a female, were kidnapped.

Simon Gabo, the lawmaker representing Ushongo State Constituency, expressed deep concern, noting that such incidents have become disturbingly frequent. He stated that his community has witnessed several deaths in recent weeks due to the activities of these militias. The lawmaker’s report to the police, while a necessary step, comes amidst a backdrop of rising fear among residents, who feel increasingly vulnerable to the escalating violence.

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I received information from my people who called today (Sunday) at about 4 a.m. that yesterday (Saturday) night, they went for a burial, and on their way back, they ran into armed men.