By Amos Aar
CORPSES of fourteen inhabitants of Igama Village in Edumoga-Ehaje, Okpokwu LGA of Benue State who were victims of attack by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have been buried on Friday in the area.
With the exception of Senator Abba Moro who represents Benue South (Zone C) Senatorial District at the Senate, in the company of the Chairperson of Okpokwu LGC, Mrs Amina Audu, there were no other major politicians at the funeral.
Igama Village was taken unawares in an early morning attack on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at a point worshippers were heading to church. The police had reported eleven persons killed but three more bodies were said to have been found later after the attack bringing the total number of the dead to 14, many wounded and houses razed.
Police announce arrest of four attackers
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command weekend announced the arrest of suspects connected with the attack on Igama.
State Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Catherine Sewuese Anene in a statement on Wednesday said the collaborative efforts of the police teams deployed to the area and other security agents who were on search operations within the forest made the arrests.
The statement said on 15/6/2022 at about 0500hrs, the attackers, who were trapped in the bush, engaged the police in a gun duel that led to the arrest of Umar Nuhu, Dauda Alhaji, Musa Dako and Umaru Alhaji Sale who were in their hideout.
According to the statement, one of the suspects, Musa Dako, sustained injuries and was admitted at St. Mary’s Hospital, Okpoga for treatment where he later died and the corpse deposited at the same hospital while the other three (3) suspects are in custody for further investigation.
Two suspected kidnappers nabbed too
In a related development, men of Operation Zenda on Wednesday, 16th June, 2022 nabbed two suspected kidnappers: Abdulahi Mohammed and Yusuf Saidu while other suspects reportedly escaped with gunshot injuries.
The PPRO in a statement on Thursday, 17th June, 2022 said: “On 16/6/2022 at about 0900hrs, while a team of Operation Zenda JTF were on patrol within Otukpa, Ogbadibo LGA of Benue state, information was received that one Raphael Okpe of Akere village was kidnapped on his way to the farm.
“The team responded immediately and chased the kidnappers into their hideout where they engaged them in a gun duel. Consequently, two of the suspects named Abdulahi Mohammed and Yusuf Saidu were arrested while the other suspects escaped with gunshot injuries.
“The victim who was already shot in the leg by the hoodlums was rescued and taken to hospital where he is responding to treatment.
“Ten rounds of AK47 ammunition were recovered from the hideout. Investigation is ongoing to arrest other suspects at large”.
Benue State Police Commissioner, CP. Wale Abbas, has called on members of Igama community to remain calm and provide relevant information to the police for more arrests and necessary actions.
