Suspected gunmen on Saturday night killed three persons and abducted two others returning from a burial in Sati-Ikov Council Ward, Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Residents who spoke on Sunday said the victims were attacked near the community by armed assailants believed to be local militias.
A source, who declined to be named for security reasons, said the mourners were ambushed while heading home from the burial.
“Some people returning from a burial were attacked close to Sati-Ikov on Saturday night. Three of them were killed, while two others—a man and a woman—were abducted,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, the lawmaker representing Ushongo Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Simon Gabo, condemned the rising wave of violence in the area.
He lamented that the community had witnessed repeated attacks by armed groups in recent weeks, resulting in multiple casualties.
Gabo identified those killed as Bem Msughter, Aondo Chia and Sunday Terwase, all from different parts of the affected communities.
He added that the abducted victims included Aondongu Amos, a Point of Sale operator, and Mrs Arinze, a patent medicine trader.
According to the lawmaker, the attackers also dispossessed victims of their belongings during the incident.
“I was informed early Sunday that the victims were attacked on their way back from a burial. The gunmen opened fire, killing three people and abducting two others. This has become a recurring situation,” he said.
Gabo further alleged that the assailants often cross into Ushongo from neighbouring Katsina-Ala Local Government Area to carry out attacks before retreating.
He disclosed that the matter had been reported to security agencies, adding that police personnel had been deployed to the area.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The incident has heightened tension among residents amid growing concerns over insecurity in the state.
