From Attah Ede Makurdi

Suspected armed Fulani militia allegedly aided by some local Tiv bandits, have reportedly killed not less than 45 persons including a family of seven in Gbagir community in Ukum LGA, of Benue State.

Our correspondent gathered that it was a battle of supremacy and a fight where one militia group trying to oust another Tiv militia gang in the area which resulted to the later to seek support from armed Fulani militia who launched attacks on Gbagir community.

It was further gathered that most of the victims were members of the rival militia gangs while about 12 innocent farmers were caught in the cross fire which also left over 30 persons injured and many others still missing.

A traditional ruler in the area who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bloody fight which started Tuesday morning after a Tiv militia leader in Ukum LGA, kidnapped another Fulani militia leader, one Alhaji Gana and his family members, who were known for banditry and kidnappings, from neighbouring Chinkai community in Wukari LGA of Taraba State.

He said, “after kidnapping them, he asked for N100million ransom but he was given N5million. After collecting the money he killed the hostages.

“The murder of the people triggered the fight among his gang members in Taraba State. This happened over the weekend.

“What followed was that another militia gang leader in Ukum now went and join forces with the Fulani militia gang in Taraba to help them eliminate the rival gang in Ukum that killed their leader, Alhaji Gana.

“The essence was to enable him be the head of militia in Ukum. The combined forces of Fulani and Tiv militia gangs started moving into the bushes of Gbagir in their hundreds from Sunday to sack the gang that killed Alhaji Gana. And on Tuesday morning the bloody fight ensued.

“From what we gathered over 45 persons who were mainly bandits have been killed, though we have record of about 12 farmers who were caught in the cross fire. Over 30 others were injured while some are also missing.

“Sadly caught in the cross fire was a family of seven in  Tse Adzandeh Mbasaa, Mbajiga, Ityuluv, Torov. They were all members of the Adzandeh family.

He said that the armed men have equally extended tentacles to the bushes of Gbeji, Chito and Afia in their numbers but cannot move into the residential area because of the timely intervention of troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS.

According to him, when people noticed the movement of the armed Fulani militia into Benue communities, the Chiefs informed the political leaders who immediately briefed Governor Hyacinth Alia who equally alerted the military for swift action.

The traditional ruler maintained the timely response of the Governor to the situation and the intervention of the OPWS have saved the people of Ukum LGA, hence it was gathered that the militia planned to kill hundreds of people in Ukum as revenge for the murdered Fulani militia leader.

“It is their gang war and innocent residents have nothing to do with that.

“Over 1,000 of them have laid siege on Ukum LGA as we speak that is why we are appealling to the military to save us before they wipe out our innocent families.

“We need more security posts in and around the area and we also appeal to the Governors of Benue and Taraba States to team up and put an end to the activities of these cross border criminals. They should support the military with logistics also.”

“As we speak these people are still in the bushes in Ukum, they have not moved back to Taraba. The Fulani militia are being supported by a Tiv militia group to eliminate another Tiv militia gang and as they fight the innocent locals will be killed.

“There is urgent need to protect the other three villages because we are hearing that the first phase of the attack is in Gbagir while Chito, Gbeji and Afia might be next.”

“We are also appealing for fortified  military presence in all the Benue and Taraba border communities.”