15 die, 60 houses burnt in Benue violence

MAKURDI—No fewer than 15 persons have been reported killed with over 60 houses burnt in a politically-motivated violence that rocked Ugba, in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Eyewitness told Vanguard that crisis erupted last night in Ugba following the murder of a money lender and tipper owner in the town (names withheld) by unknown armed men.

It was gathered that while the police were investigating the matter, some youths suspected to be supporters of the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the town, allegedly mobilised themselves and went on a reprisal attack on the paramount ruler of the town and notable PDP members from the town.

One of the 60 houses razed down in the mayhem

The rampaging youths, it was learnt, were said to have killed pregnant women, toddlers and the elderly, among whom was the wife of the paramount ruler, Zaki Terngu.

Reacting to the carnage, Governor Gabriel Suswam, who led a team of security personnel to Ugba, which is also his home town, for an on-the- spot assessment, expressed shock at the killings and destruction of property.

Suswam blamed the attack on suspected supporters of the opposition ACN.

The governor also assured that security personnel had been drafted to Ugba to maintain the peace.

Reacting, the State Chairman of ACN, Mr. Abba Yaro, said the crisis was sparked off by the alleged killing of two chieftains of his party.

Yaro said the party would not be deterred but continue to seek ways of recovering their mandate from the ruling PDP.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ejike Alaribe, ASP, said the situation has been brought under control as policemen had been drafted into the town while investigations are ongoing.

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BY PETER DURU

Source: Vanguard

From right, Benue State Governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, Commissioner of Information and Orientation (in white), Mr. Conrad Wergba, Senator Barnabas Gemade (in caftan), representing Benue North East Senatorial District and others assessing the extent of destruction at Ugbah, in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.