Emmanuel Ikechukwu
Unidentified gunmen ridding on motor bikes on Friday shot and killed about eight persons in Zaki-Biam, Ukum local council of Benue State.
The killing is coming barely two weeks after many people including a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Atoza Ihindan were murdered in Katsina-Ala local government area of the state.
The gunmen as guarded stormed a supermarket in the said area and opened fire on innocent citizens killing eight and injuring scores.
As expected, the killing has sent jitters in the minds of the residents most of whom have fled the area, even as most shops, patent medicine stores and food vendors have been closed down.
“There is tension in the area. People are scampering for safety. Families have fled for fear of being killed. Social and economic activities have declined drastically”, a source in the area said.
Confirming the incident, the Benue State Police Public Relations’ Officer (PPRO) ASP Austin Ezeani however said two persons were killed in the attack while three others were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
The PPRO lamented that the killings have spread from Katsina-Ala to Ukum local government area, stating that the police will also focus attention on the area even as he advised those with arms to take opportunity of the State government’s amnesty program and surrender them or face the wrath of the law.
