Gunmen on Saturday invaded Zaki Akpuuna 1 and Diom communities of Mbaterem district in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, killing 24 residents.
Ukum is one of the three hotspots in the Sankera axis, where bandits suspected to be gang members of the slain Terwase Akwaza, aka Gana, hold sway. Other hotspots are Logo and Katsina Ala.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that the gunmen invaded the sleepy communities around 8am on Saturday.
Locals, who spoke to our correspondent on the phone, said the attackers burnt several houses in adjourning villages.
An indigene, who spoke to our correspondent on the phone on condition of anonymity, said the bandits attacked Zaki Akpuuna and killed 24 people.
The local said, “You know that the three local government areas in the Sankera axis had long been under these local bandits headed by Gana and since he was killed, his men have divided and are controlled by different leaders.
“The cause of this attack is not known yet but the information we got was that gunmen numbering about 20 invaded Akpuuna and other villages in Ukum LGA and killed many people and burnt down several houses. At least, 24 bodies have been recovered and the search is still on to find those missing.”
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