In Mbatyula and Mbayongo council wards in Benue State’s Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, about nine people lost their lives due to clashes between local militias.Â
The violent conflict, lasting three days, resulted in the destruction of numerous houses, allegedly orchestrated by factional militia groups.
Local residents, speaking anonymously to reporters in Makurdi via telephone, shared that the crisis emerged between rival militia factions, unfolding from Monday to Wednesday.
Although the exact cause remained unclear, some residents connected it to a struggle for power between the groups.
A resident, who preferred not to disclose their identity, described the attacks as coordinated and orchestrated by armed men suspected to be from rival militia groups in Mbayongo Council Ward.
The assailants targeted various settlements within Mbatyula Council Ward, including Atumbe and Kur Hile, setting houses ablaze and looting properties.
The unsettling events continued in Anyom settlement, also in Mbatyula council ward, on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
During this incident, seven people lost their lives, and numerous houses were reduced to ashes. The caretaker chairman of the local government, Zamzam Francis, confirmed the tragic occurrences, revealing that nine people had lost their lives during the clashes.
According to Francis, the conflict primarily involved the rival militias, perpetrating violence against each other.
He expressed concern over the burning of innocent people’s homes, emphasizing the widespread suffering caused by these acts.
Upon reaching out to the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, she stated that she had not yet received a formal report regarding the attacks, highlighting the challenges in gathering accurate information about the unfolding situation.
The incidents underscore the urgent need for intervention and resolution to prevent further loss of life and property in the affected communities.
