Three persons, have been killed, three others set ablaze on Friday in an alleged reprisal on Kasa, Angbaaye, Alabar, and Ayati communities in Zaki Biam Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.


The alleged reprisal comes four days after gunmen stormed the Zaki Biam International Yam Market, killing no fewer than 52 persons.

A resident of Zaki Biam, who did not wish to be named, decried the recent killings in the area and blamed security operatives for their alleged laxity in curbing communal clashes.

He said, “We heard that the Federal Government has drafted Special Forces and sent a helicopter to maintain peace in Zaki-Biam, but as I speak, we have not seen them and many people are moving out of the town because people are killed almost on a daily basis.

“One person was killed on Wednesday in Alabar, another in Angbaaye, and then Ayati. On Friday, three persons, including a woman, were burnt alive in their house at Kasa.”

When contacted the Police Public Relations Officer in Benue State, Moses Yamu, confirmed the burning of three persons to death.

He said security operatives have been drafted to the affected areas, but that the police had yet to identify those burnt in the attack.