Two Killed as Unknown Militias Attack Benue Community

• Gunmen kill APC treasurer in Ekiti

George Okoh in Makurdi and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Unknown gunmen last Wednesday attacked residents of Ukum Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, killing a woman and a child.

This is coming as the Treasurer of the Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Moses Adeoye, was also killed by unknown gunmen.

According to a statement by the Benue State Police Command, the militias suspected to be members of the dreaded wanted Gana gang who have been tormenting the area drove on motor bikes and opened fire on the residents.

The state Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Moses Iyamu said.”About 1100 hours of today (yesterday), information was received that some armed Shitile militia aka “Ghana Boys” dressed in Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Special Forces’ uniforms were approaching Zaki Biam town through bush paths, riding on Bajaj motorcycles. It is important to note that, their movement was in a bid to escape the ongoing joint operation tagged “Whirl Stroke” targeted at their enclaves, which forced them out, to possibly seek refuge in the town.

He said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ukum Division quickly alerted and mobilised the security forces around in order to repel the militias.

“ An intense gun duel ensued in which regrettably, one policeman who was fatally injured and his rifle taken away by the militia was rushed to the hospital alongside two yet to be identified civilians (a woman and a small boy) were confirmed dead at the hospital. While three other persons who sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment at Light of Grace Hospital, Zaki Biam”

He said the Commissioner of Police, Ene Okon has assured the general public and people of Ukum and environs that effort have been intensified to bring they criminal elements to justice.

In a related development, the treasurer of the Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Moses Adeoye, has been killed by unknown gunmen.

Adeoye was murdered on Wednesday night when unknown gunmen reportedly invaded his house in Otun Ekiti in Moba Local Government Area of the state

The gunmen, according to the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Hon. Ade Ajayi trailed the 54-year old party leader to his home at about 9 p.m. and killed him while he was having his dinner .

Ajayi said the deceased was part of the party’s delegation that escorted Governor Kayode Fayemi on a thank-you tour to Ekiti North and South senatorial districts on Wednesday.

He had earlier served as the chairman of the APC in the LGA before his recent emergence as the state’s treasurer of the party.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of Ekiti State Police Command, Caleb Ikechukwu, said the police had launched investigation into the case.

He said, “The case has already been reported with the police and our men have swung into action.

“We have started our investigation to make sure the perpetrators are arrested.

“We commiserate with his family and assured the people of Ekiti state that the police are on top of this matter.”

The APC Chairman in the State, Mr. Paul Omotoso, described the killing as shocking, and called on the security agencies to set machinery in motion to ensure that the killers are apprehended.

Omotoso added that the party will soon send a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bello Ahmed and other security outfits on the murder of the APC chieftain.