On Friday night, gunmen believed to be bandits invaded the Mbacher community in the Mbacher Council Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Benue State, killing 18 people despite a government-imposed curfew. The attack occurred around 11:00 pm, according to local sources.
Witnesses reported that the assailants tricked villagers by pretending to address them before opening fire. This tragic event unfolded despite a curfew imposed by Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, which was intended to curb violence in the region.
The curfew, running from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, had been in place for two weeks following a violent protest in Ukum LGA. The Sankera axis, which includes Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo, has been a focal point for criminal activities.
A local government source disclosed that the military recovered 18 bodies on Saturday morning. Katsina-Ala LGA Chairman, Justine Shaku, confirmed the attack, noting the gunmen had finished their deadly mission before the military could intervene.
“At about 11:00 pm yesterday (Friday), we received a distress call from the villagers that a group of terrorists were moving from house to house, forcing people to follow them. I quickly mobilized the military officers in Tor Doonga, but due to the remote location, the attack was over by the time they arrived,” Shaku stated.
Shaku also noted that several people were injured during the assault. “I was told it was 17, but today 18 people have been confirmed dead. All of them were assembled in one place and killed,” he added.
The council chairman described the attackers’ methods as “local terrorism,” comparing their tactics to guerrilla warfare. “I no longer call them bandits because I’m seeing elements of terrorism in their activities. They are terrorists within, though they have external forces aiding them. The locals are the major perpetrators,” Shaku explained.
