Some youths in Benue state on Wednesday killed seven persons in Gboko area. The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Owoseni Fatai who confirmed the incident while briefing newsmen in his office said the victims were reportedly travelling to either Okene in Kogi state or Taraba state when criminals attacked, killed and burnt them to ashes.
He explained that when policemen in the area swiftly moved in to contain the development, the criminals attacked them.
“We got information around 11am this morning that some hoodlums believed to be of Tiv stock between 9.30am and 10.am stormed a garage in Gboko where they attacked seven people believed to be of Fulani extraction, killed and burnt them. The passengers were said to be in the park where they were trying to board a commercial vehicle to Okene or Taraba. The police in the area of the attack got information and rushed to the place but the criminals embarked on hurling stones at the police.”
While urging newsmen to discard reports that the attack had ethnic or religious undertone, the Commissioner hinted that some arrests have been made and that the suspects are assisting ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Mr. Smuel Ortom has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on Gboko till further notice. The Governor in a statement issued by his Media Adviser Mr. Tahav Argezua said that the curfew would last from 6pm to 6am from January 31 till further notice.
Those exempted from the curfew are those on essential services such as medical personnel as well as those who could provide convincing identification.