From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
In the last two months, the killings in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State have escalated, with the reported murder of six persons, including a pub operator and a young man who was preparing for his wedding in Chitto community.
It was also gathered that one of armed gangs operating in the Ukum axis of the state recently mounted a roadblock near the Agboki settlement of the LGA, making the Sankera-Chito-Vase road impassable and killing innocent road users and residents.
This came on the heels of the recent bloody rival militia clashes in the LGA that claimed about 10 lives, while a market and several properties in the area were destroyed by the gangs.
Our correspondent gathered that, in Ukum LGA, many community members have been killed by the bandits who have held sway in the last one month. By their bullets, the commander of Benue State Livestock Guards (BSLSG), Jarule Likita, was murdered in Tine-Nune settlement on August 20, 2023.
On August 21 and 22, 2023, eight persons were also killed by the bandits, five in Chitto and three in Gbeji communities of Ukum LGA, when two rival groups clashed in the area.
It was also reported that the bandits, on August 23, blocked the Sankara-Chitto road and killed three persons in cold blood.
According to a resident, who identified himself as Terfa Akpen, the development has forced the district head of the community, Tor Ngene, and his subjects to flee the community for fear of being killed by the rampaging gangs who have crippled farming and other business activities in the area.
“These are areas where a lot of farming activities usually go on, with massive production of yam and other food items.
“But with the development, farmers have all abandoned their farms for safety in other communities and in town because no one is sure of what will happen next.
“Just recently, six persons, including a young man who was preparing for his wedding, which was scheduled to hold soon, were murdered in an ambush on the road, while the operator of a drinking spot was also murdered in Chitto by a gang after they accused him of hosting a rival group at the drinking spot.
“As we speak, Chitto has become a deserted community, because indiscriminate and rampant reprisals by bandits operating in Ukum LGA,” he said.
Worried by the development, a community leader from the area, Chief Shima Ayati, who confirmed the troubling trend, has called on the state government to declare a state on emergency on insecurity in Ukum.
Ayati, who blamed the political class for failing in their responsibilities to ensure peace in Ukum, said: “I learnt people were killed again in Chitto but I don’t have the exact figures; people were killed again.
“It is unfortunate that this is happening. After the last elections, people from that area were elected into various positions. We have the senator, State Assembly member and others, but some of us are disturbed that we are not hearing anything from these elected people over this matter in order to put an end to it.
“The entire thing is fearful. We do not know if a fifth columnist is behind it. As far as I am concerned, we have failed the people because politics is meant to proffer solutions to such things and if up till now we are unable to proffer solution to this issue of banditry, it is very unfortunate.
“Before now, we used to blame this on Fulani herdsmen, but what are they saying now? It is a shame. In fact, some of us have lost our voices, it is worrisome.”
However, the Benue State Police Command, led by Batholomew Onyeka, recently said it had deployed all available human and material resources to rid the state of crime.
The operation, according to Onyeka, was to serve as a warning for all criminal elements to embrace peace and enjoy freedom as the command would not tolerate criminality of any kind in the state.
In what sounded like a riot act, Onyeka told criminals and intending criminals: “I will not tolerate criminality in Benue State under my watch. I will fight them as long as I remain the commissioner of police.”
He also appealed to the people of Benue State to cooperate with the police by giving useful and timely information that would assist the command in tackling crime.