No fewer than 22 people were killed in separate attacks following disagreement between two rival gangs in Chito community, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Tragic violence erupted in Chito community, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, resulting in the loss of 22 lives. The violence stemmed from a disagreement between two rival gangs, one known as “Chain” and the other as “Full Fire.”
This gang-related conflict led to 15 casualties, with another seven people losing their lives in a separate incident at a drinking establishment in Tyo Akosu settlement in the same Ukum LGA.
These gangs have been linked to unrest in Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala local government areas within the Sankera axis of Benue State.
Villagers disclosed that a fight broke out between the two rival gangs popularly known as Chain and Full Fire at the weekend, leading to the killing of the 15 people whose bodies were seen in an amateur video and photos circulating on social media.
It was gathered that the victims were part of another banditry group terrorising the Sankera axis but were gunned down by a rival gang.
“It was a fight of supremacy between the two gangs in Ukum LGA. They have been on each other’s neck. Full Fire employed the service of another banditry group to help kill Chain members who got wind of the plan and laid in ambush.
“They opened fire and killed all of them. Some said they were 10 while others said they were 15. Everyone of them had gun on their bodies. It was a fight for supremacy, not communal.
“But the locals have run away because they are afraid of reprisal. The villagers feared that in the course of reprisal, they might be affected despite being innocent”, source disclosed.
The Police Public Relations Officer for Benue Command, SP Catherine Anene, however, told journalists in Makurdi that she was not aware of the incident.
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