By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Respite reached Chito town late Thursday evening, 24th August 2023 when armed security men moved into the town from Zaki- Biam, the Ukum Gocal Government Area headquarters of Benue state, to dislodge suspected bandits that have held the locales hostage the past three days and killing at least 8 persons, causing the living to flee into the bushes.
Chito is the second largest market to Zaki-Biam in Ukum local government area and is situated in Torov clan where another market, Gbagir, is also located. There are indications that the killings may have originated from quarrels between leaders of the two markets.
The administration of Dr. Gabriel T. Suswam constructed a road from Zaki-Biam to Afia which passes through Gbagir. The advantage opened up Gbagir’s local market to compete with Chito market. The rivalry which ensued caused some of the bandits benefiting from the markets to stop their various communities from taking farm produce to the other markets.
A locale from Chito who pleaded anonymity told The Authority newspaper that, “the whole thing is just appalling. They just don’t want the growth of Chito for selfish reasons. They, Gbagir people, feels the continual growth of Chito market would keep the Gbagir market from growing”.
A resident who witnessed the attacks said, ” 5 persons including a woman were killed in the yesterday’s attack while 3 persons were killed in other attacks by the bandits on Sankera/Chito road”.
Another resident lamented that, “we have not had any sleep since Sunday. We can’t go to our houses as they have been taken over by bandits who comes on killing spree any time they want”.
One resident of Chito who was ecstatic on hearing of the arrival of security men said, “its better late than never. At least our old men and women as well as children who have taken refuge in the bush since Sunday can now return to their homes”.
There has not been confirmation from the Police Public Relations’ Officer SP Catherine Anene as to the renewed attacks.
The people of Sankera in the Benue Northeast geopolitical zone have not known peace for close to a decade due to recurrent attacks by either herders against farmers, cross border crisis from their Taraba state neighbors or criminal gangs fighting for supremacy.
