Bandits Shoot Five In Benue Community Market

Residents of Peva village, Kastina-Ala Local Goverment Area of Benue State were plunged into panic as bandits attacked them, killing five persons.

Locals said the affected village in Kastina-Ala borders communities in Takum local government of Taraba State.

According to the residents, amongst those killed is an official of Community Volunteer Guards and four other persons who were gunned down at a market in the area.

Daily Trust reports that a villager named Antavee said the bandits may have been following the volunteer guard to a drinking joint in the market for allegedly giving security operatives information about their (bandits’) activities.

“The incident happened in Peva community which borders Taraba State through Katsina Ala.

"An official of Community Volunteer Guards known as Oliver was shot by the bandits alongside four others.

“We heard that the bandits had been on his trail for a while because they accused him of being an informant to security operatives in the area.

“He (Oliver) was believed to be the bandits’ target.

"The bandits numbering up to five arrived at a joint in the market, where Oliver was with four others, in a tinted vehicle.

“It was a market day and the bandits on sighting him opened fire on him and others at the drinking joint and succeeded in killing him and four others.

"Several people were injured and now receiving treatment at the hospital.

"The bandits however escaped," he narrated.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene is yet to make comments on the matter.