Two individuals have lost their lives in separate attacks carried out by suspected armed bandits on key highways in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to eyewitnesses, one of the killings took place on Wednesday at Atukpu, a village about one kilometre from Naka, the administrative hub of the LGA.
The victim was reportedly returning from a trip to purchase roofing materials when he was ambushed along the Taraku-Naka Road. That same day, another person was killed on the Naka-Adoka Road.
Residents, speaking to media t by phone on Thursday, voiced growing alarm over the state of security in the area.
They noted that all three main routes leading to Naka are now hotspots for criminal activity, with bandits frequently attacking commuters.
Confirming the developments, Gwer West LGA Chairman Victor Ormin decried the worsening insecurity.
“The Makurdi-Naka Road was already notorious, but now Taraku-Naka and Naka-Adoka roads have also become unsafe,” he said. “These killings are happening within five kilometres of Naka. Our town is under siege.”
He raised concerns about the capacity of security personnel on the ground, despite the intervention efforts by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
As of press time, the state police command had not issued an official statement, and inquiries sent to PPRO Catherine Anene remained unanswered.
