- Unknown gunmen attacked Utonkon community of Ado local government area of Benue state on Christmas eve
- Three people were reportedly killed in the attack while five other sustained severe injuries
- The attack came barely 13-hours after suspected herders killed two persons in Odonto village in Akpa district of neighbouring Otukpo local government area
Three people were reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be hoodlums on Christmas eve.
Five other persons were reported to have sustained severe gun injuries during the attack on Utonkon community of Ado local government area of Benue state.
The gunmen who allegedly rode on five motorcycles invaded the rural vicinity and opened fire on villagers, Daily Trust reports.
The hoodlums reportedly stormed the community as some of the villagers were busy sharing meats just killed by their different cooperatives societies in preparation for Christmas on Monday, December 25.
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Locals have blamed the attack on miscreants whose aim was to disrupt the Sunday evening peace at a time government officials were distributing gift items to the people of the community.
The chairman of Ado LGA, Blessing Unogwu, said protocol officers from her council were distributing gift items to the stakeholders in the area when the gunmen on bikes invade the place and started shooting sporadically.
Unogwu stated that there were no previous problem on ground in the community to the best of her knowledge to warrant the attack.
She said the attention of the police was immediately drawn to the troubled community and one of the attackers was apprehended with a pistol while the others escaped.
It was gathered that residents have fled Utonkon village for fear that the gunmen may return for again following the arrest of one of them.
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The attack happened barely 13-hours after suspected herders killed two persons in Odonto village in Akpa district of neighbouring Otukpo local government area.
Confirming the attack, the police public relations officer, Moses Joel Yamu, said two people lost their lives while five others who sustained serious injuries are receiving treatment at the General hospital in Otukpo.
Yamu said investigation into the matter had commenced to determine the actual cause of the incident.
According to him, the Utonkon attack might be linked to that of Odonto village where two people were earlier killed on Sunday morning.
He however said, the attackers might not be the same people.
Yamu stated that one suspect had been arrested with a short gun and cartridges in connection with the incident.
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He added that more policemen have been drafted to the area to ensure safety of lives and property.
Meanwhile, six persons were killed by unknown gunmen at Ungwan Mailafiya community, Kaduna state, on Christmas eve, just a day after an attack on Nimdem community in same Jemaa local government left four people dead two days earlier.
NAIJ.com gathered that to contain the seeming escalation of attacks in the last few days, the Commander of Operation Safe Haven, has temporarily moved to Kafanchan to coordinate the operation.
Southern Kaduna killings: part 1 - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng