George Okoh in Makurdi
Seven villagers were killed yesterday by bandits who attacked Tor Donga in Katsina-Ala Local government Area of Benue State.
A local source said the bandits came in the evening and killed seven persons including volunteer guard members while also injuring two others and a priest.
He said the five injured persons are in the hospital including the Catholic priest from Mbatseer Village who was going to Tor Donga.
“They met him, shot at him and killed the person in the car with him,” the source said.
He said the incident took place between 5pm to -5:30pm.
According to the Local Government Chairman of Katsina Ala, Mr. Alfred Atera who confirmed the killings, said they attackers were the final remnants of a notorious militia leader Mr. Azonto.
According to him, the volunteer guards saw one Santer who was driving the car that they came in with. “The volunteer guards blocked the road when they saw them but they didn’t have anything to protect themselves so they ran away.”
He said all the security agencies in the state have been informed.
“The police, OPWS and security adviser, we are on top of it, doing our best to ensure that we get them. Yes, you know something that we have never experienced for a long time is coming up again and the residents are afraid. We’re making sure that we assure them that we will arrest these bandits.
According to a military source who did not want to be named, unknown gunmen in a moving vehicle, on Thursday at about 4:40p.m. at Tor Donga in Katsina-Ala LGA, forced themselves through the vigilante check point along Katsina-Ala/Tor Donga Road.
It was gathered that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke OPWS who were alerted about the sad development rushed to the area and gave the bandits a hot chase but couldn’t find them.
They however recovered seven dead bodies and three wounded persons from the scene and they are now responding to treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
Governor Samuel Ortom has also condemned the attack.
He said they bandits would be apprehended and brought to book.
He said the state has zero tolerance for crime, adding that he will not surrender the state to criminals
