Gunmen attack mourners in Benue

Unidentified gunmen were said to have attacked mourners at Okokolo community in Agatu local government area of Benue State.

A resident of the area and one-time supervisory councillor in Agatu local government, John Ikwulono told newsmen yesterday that some gunmen on Tuesday night invaded Okokolo community shortly after the burial of late Mrs George Ikwulono aka Ene Lucky and shot sporadically as people ran helter-skelter.

According to him, the mourners just buried the woman and were still gathered mourning the dead when suddenly gunshots rented the air as mourners scampered for safety.

He, however, said that no casualty was recorded.

He said, “some yet to be identified gunmen on Tuesday night around 10 pm attacked Okokolo when residents were at the burial of there loved one, late Mrs George Ikwulono and shot sporadically causing tension in the community.

Confirming the attack, the caretaker chairman of the local government, Usman Aliu described the attack as ‘barbaric and inhuman”.

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He said that empty shells from used bullet were found at the scene of the attack when he visited the community.

“It is barbaric and inhuman for anyone to visit people who were mourning their loved ones to go and attack them and shot sporadically.

“This attack is coming when the government had made frantic efforts to restore peace to Agatu.”

Aliu appealed to troops of operations Whirl Stroke and Policemen to arrest the perpetrators of the attack on Okokolo community.

He also called on youths in the area to remain calm and not to take laws into their hands.

When contacted, Benue State Police Command through its spokesperson, DSP, Catherine Anene said she was yet to receive the report of the attack on Okokolo community in Agatu.

Also, the Field Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Adeyemi Yekini said that he was yet to receive the report of the attack on Okokolo community.

He said “I have not received any report that gunmen attacked any community in Agatu local government but our men are still there.