By Amos Aar
A lecturer at the Federal University, Wukari, Mr Fred Akaayar, and two of his friends, Aondoayange Apever and Kachinooa Shiaondo, were on Thursday killed by unknown gunmen in Ukum local government area of Benue State.
The unfortunate incident happened at Jootar, Mbaterem, Mbayenge Council ward of Ukum local government area of the state at about 7pm.
The killings defied the ban which had been placed on the use of motorcycles and ‘Duck Nyash’ cars as well as a dusk to dawn curfew imposed on Sankera axis of Benue State, including Ukum LGA, since last year when all other measures to quell internal killings failed.
National Record gathered that the incident happened as the friends were at a relaxation joint close to a federal quarantine checkpoint when a motorcycle which conveying a lady and two men approached the lecturer and his friends and one of the riders shot the victims and rode off.
A source from the area had it that the motorcycle which came from Melabu direction operated for 10 minutes, killed the victims and went back the same direction.
The killings in Mbaterem are said to have risen after a popular member of ‘The Narrow Way Tent’ simply identified as Philip was allegedly kidnapped in Channel2 Sankera and was released after a huge ransom was paid.
About a year ago, a famous politician, Baso Anza, was assassinated by yet to be identified gunmen at the same town, Jootar.
Residents of the area have cried out to the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and the State Security Council to intervene into the situation before the entire Mabterem people will be annihilated.
