The Police Command in Benue State, on Wednesday confirmed an attack on Tse-Haaga Village, Mbabai in Guma Local Government area of the state by unknown gunmen.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Catherine Anene, said that four persons were killed, while three others sustained injuries during the attack.
Anene said that the command had since deployed more personnel to restore peace and normalcy in the community.
A resident of the area, Mr Clement Haaga, said that the gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, stormed the village in four motorbikes around 5 pm. on Tuesday and opened fire on the residents, killing one person on the spot and injuring others.
Haaga explained that three of the injured persons died on their way to the hospital, while others three were still receiving treatment.
In Plateau State, the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) has confirmed the killing of one Rinji Bala, a 20-year-old 300-levels student of University of Jos.
Rinji, popular known as ‘Bobo’, was said to have been mistakenly shot by a sentry of the OPSH at its office along Zaria Road, Jos on Tuesday.
Confirming the incident, Major Ibrahim Shittu, Media Officer of OPSH, described the incidence as “unfortunate”
According to Shittu, personnel of the task force responded to a distress call on activities of cultists and armed robbers around the area and arrested seven suspects.
He explained that Rinji and four other suspects were cleared and released, but that on their way out, a personnel on duty mistook them for escaping suspects and opened fire on them.
“Yesterday, at about 10 p.m., we received information of the activities of suspected armed robbers and cultists operating around No. 18th Street axis, opposite Hwolshe community.
“The report revealed that the criminals took advantage of the lockdown and curfew to perpetrate crimes.
“Consequently, our Sector 1 patrol troops of OPSH swiftly responded and arrested 7 suspects, which were immediately moved to the Headquarters of the Sector 1 for preliminary investigation.
“Thereafter, five out of the seven suspects were cleared and asked to leave the premises.
“Unfortunately as they were leaving, one of the personnel on sentry duty mistook them for escaping suspects. Thus opened fire on them, which led to the death of Rinji Bala,” he explained.
The media officer, however, said a thorough investigation had commenced to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident, adding that the personnel involved has been arrested and detained.
He explained that a delegation from OPSH have visited the family of the deceased and commiserated with them and promised to ensure deceased get justice.
Emmanuel Dung, an eye witness, said that Rinji and five others were arrested about 7 p.m. on Tuesday by the OPSH team.
Dung, who was among those arrested alongside the deceased, narrated that they were taken to the sector one of OPSH, along Zaria Road, Jos.
“The soldiers didn’t say what our offence was and took us to their office at Zaria Road. They tortured us for over an hour and later released us about 10 p.m.
“At the gate, some soldiers asked us to run. When we took off, they opened fire on us and Bobo (Rinji) fell down a few meters away from the gate.
“I stopped to help him but a soldier came close with his gun pointed at me but turned back, and one of the soldiers shouted “ceasefire”,” he explained.
Mr Peter Bala, father of the deceased, said that he got to the office of the soldiers shortly after the incident.
He said that the Sector Commander told him that the kids were found innocent after investigation and were released.
“When I got wind that my son along others were arrested, I quickly rushed to the military base at Zaria road. The Sector Commander told me the boys were found innocent and have been released.
“But I saw a corpse at the entrance of the military base but didn’t know it was my son; and they never told me until I met his fellow detainee while driving home,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Government has declared Mr Makana Enan Ngari, Councillor representing Vulpi Ward, in Numan Local Government Area (LGA) of the state wanted over alleged cattle rustling.
This was contained in a statement by Mr Humwashi Wonosikou, Press Secretary to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri on Wednesday in Yola.
He said that the councillor was allegedly involved in illegal and criminal deals of cattle rustling which was contrary to his oath of office.
Wonosikou said that the criminal acts took place at a time government had succeeded in stabilising the area.
”The Adamawa Government has declared the councillor representing Vulpi Ward of Numan local government area, Mr Makana Enan Ngari, wanted for cattle rustling.
“The councillor is suspected of involving in illegal deals and cattle rustling which is in violation of his Oath of office.
“The action is coming at a time government had succeeded at stabilising the area after the incessant attacks on villages along Adamawa and Taraba states boundaries.
“Government is strongly warning that it would deal with anyone found wanting no matter his position. In addition, government is appealing to both herders and farmers not to take laws into their hands but allow the law to take its course”, Wonosikou said.
He said that no responsible government would sit back and watch criminals destroy the hard earned peace it had achieved through painstaking efforts.
Wonosikou, therefore, called on the people of the state to help the government towards building a peaceful and viable economy in the state.