LG Chairman: I’m in pain
Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have again attacked several communities of Tse Ugema Chul, Mbakesa, Ugbaam, in Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), of Benue state killing six villagers.
This is coming barely a month – between 5th and 7th February 2025 – when herdsmen-hunters’ clash in Okpomaju community in Otukpo LGA of the State resulted in the killing of eight persons in the community.
Tse Ugema village settlement is a few kilometres from Zaki Biam International Yam Market.
As at the time of filing this report on Sunday evening, a resident from the area, who didn’t want to be named, told newsmen on phone that six dead bodies had already been recovered while many others were still missing.
It was gathered that the incident took place on Friday – February 28 – when some cattle strayed into farmlands and destroyed yams.
Some youths in the area mobilized to defend their village and farm produce from the invaders when they were ambushed and killed.
The source said, “while the youths were going after the cattle, unknown gunmen who ambushed them opened fire and killed many of them.
He said they informed men of the Nigeria Army who are stationed at a village called Wuaze, in Ukum LG which is a few meters away from the scene of the attack.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue Command, CSP Catherine Anene said she was yet to get a report from Ukum.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ukum LG, Mr Jonathan Modi has confirmed the attack.
Modi who went to the scene of the incident said he couldn’t grant an interview on phone because he was in a pensive mood.
He said: “I’m in Zaki Biam right now and in pain about what happened in Zaki Biam.”
