Admin l Tuesday, March 21, 2017
ZAKI BIAM, Wikari, Benue, Nigeria – Not less than 50 innocent people, some passersby merely going about their day to day business were murdered on Monday when gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen invaded Zaki Biam and snuffed life out of many.
The attack in Zaki Biam, situated in Wukari Local Government came just a week after gunmen killed at least 10 people in Mkgovur, Buruku Local Government, Benue State.
Zaki Biam shares boundary with Wukari local government area of Taraba.
Dead people littered the streets in this latest orgy of violence. An eye witness told our reporter that he counted 16 dead bodies. Chief Udam Wuhe, comunity leader said more than 10 gunmen stormed the town from TorTonda- Zaki Biam road at about 5:00 p.m. on Monday. He said apart from the dead several houses were burnt down.
Wuhe could not ascertain if the attackers were Fulani Herdsmen.
In a statement by Special Adviser on Media and ICT, Tahav Agerzua, Benue State Governor, Samuel Orrhom condemned the dastard act, even as he called for information on the whereabout of the most wanted person in Benue State, Terwase Akwaza (a.k.a Gana).
“Governor Samuel Ortom has canceled all his engagements for tomorrow, including the scheduled swearing-in of new members of the State Executive Council.
“The Governor’s directive is in respect of recent attacks in the Sankera area of the state particularly today’s murder of innocent people at the Zaki-Biam market in Ukum local government area.
“He condemns the attack and restates his call on the people with useful information that will lead to the arrest of notorious criminals in the area including Terwase Akwaza, alias Ghana to contact security agencies, assuring that information sources will be protected.
“Governor Ortom commiserates with families of the victims, promising that the state security council would redouble efforts to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice.
“He says the latest development underscores the need for all good spirited individuals and organizations to join hands with government to confront and surmount the security challenges”, he said.
