Fear has gripped residents of Sati-Ikov community in Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State after gunmen launched a deadly attack on mourners returning from a burial, k!lling three people and abducting two others.
The tragic incident reportedly occurred on Saturday night when the victims were on their way back from a funeral ceremony. Eyewitnesses said the attackers ambushed the group near the community and opened fire, leaving several people dead on the spot while others fled in panic for safety...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
According to local accounts, the victims were part of a group of mourners who had attended a burial earlier in the day before running into the armed men on their return journey. The attackers, said to be heavily armed, also whisked away two individuals whose identities were yet to be fully confirmed at the time of filing this report.
The brutal assault has once again thrown the community into mourning and heightened tension in the already troubled area, with residents expressing deep concern over the rising wave of insecurity in Benue State. Many locals described the attack as another painful reminder of the worsening violence affecting rural communities.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, but security operatives are expected to begin investigations and possible search-and-rescue operations for the kidnapped victims.
Benue State has continued to experience repeated attacks in recent times, with residents calling on government and security agencies to step up protection in vulnerable communities to prevent further loss of lives.
As of press time, the attackers have not been identified, and the whereabouts of the abducted victims remain unknown.
