No fewer than 30 persons have been killed in a supremacy battle between local militias in Ayati village, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Matthew Aboh, confirmed the incident on Friday.
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Aboh said, “Last night, I was informed of an attack by bandits in Ayati village. As of now, 30 individuals have been confirmed dead, and the search for additional bodies is ongoing. The final count may increase.”
He attributed the violence to ongoing clashes between rival local militias in the region, stating that one group is from Ayati, while their rivals come from Tine-nune, Mbatyem.
“This rivalry has led to continuous reprisals, with each side attacking the other’s stronghold,” Aboh explained.
A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that the death toll could exceed 50.
The Police Command’s Public Relations Officer in Benue, SP Sewuese Anene, confirmed the attack and indicated that further updates would be provided pending additional information from the scene.
