Zaki Biam Crisis: 13 Persons Feared Dead In Reprisal Attack

The crisis in Zaki Biam has taken a new dimension as thirteen persons were feared dead after gunmen, in reprisal, attacked Tse Chia  Mbarstev ward near Kasaa in Zaki Biam Local Government Area of Benue State between Friday and Saturday.

The attack comes just five days after some gunmen invaded Zaki Biam town, destroying the International Yam market and killing over 50 persons.

Sources from the village said that some gunmen invaded the community around 1am on Friday and set ablaze four buildings while another set of gunmen were said to have embarked on a reprisal attack on Saturday setting houses ablaze killing about ten persons.

The source said, “Around 1am on Friday some gunmen entered our village and set ablaze four buildings, one of the buildings belongs to a family of three who were burnt to ashes.



“In a reprisal attack, a gang of gunmen stormed the area and shot at people, killing about ten persons and injuring several others.”

“As am talking to you now, the village has been deserted.”

Confirming the incident, the Benue State Police Public Relations’ Officer, ASP Moses Moses  Yamu, said that three persons were killed while describing it as a reprisal attack.

He said: “What happened is that youths from Zaki Biam mobilised themselves and went on a reprisal attack in the area. They burnt down the house of one of the drivers of the gunmen who attacked Zaki Biam last Tuesday.

“Four flats were burnt and three persons were killed. I want to urge the youths not to take the law into their hands but allow law enforcement agencies do their job.”