A sense of fear and uncertainty has settled over Chito town in the Adzendeshi Council Ward of Ukum Local Government Area, Benue State, after a group of armed bandits launched a brutal attack on the Tse-Mamkaa Compound in the early hours of Saturday. The assault, which lasted for approximately one hour and thirty minutes, began at around 2:26 a.m. when over ten bandits stormed the compound, beating family members and ransacking homes.
The attackers made off with a wide range of valuables, including clothing, footwear, food items, and kitchen supplies. Even basic essentials like salt, seasoning cubes, and flour were not spared. Dr. Isaac H. Mamkaa, a lecturer at the Department of Political Science, College of Education, Katsina-Ala, confirmed in a formal complaint to the authorities that two of his family members, Timothy T. Mamkaa and Nathaniel Mwuesega Mamkaa, the head of the family, suffered injuries during the attack. The household of their grandfather, Kur Sev Adudu, was also targeted by the bandits.
What’s particularly alarming is the warning issued by the attackers during the assault. According to Dr. Mamkaa, the bandits threatened to return and unleash an even more devastating attack. This has raised concerns about the safety and security of the community. In his letter to the authorities, Dr. Mamkaa pleaded for a timely response and proactive action to prevent another attack. “In view of the above… I appeal for your timely response and/or proactive action to avert the impending/looming calamity,” he wrote.
As the community struggles to come to terms with the attack, security agencies have yet to issue an official statement or make any arrests. The lack of response from the authorities has only added to the sense of unease and fear among the residents of Chito town. The attack on the Tse-Mamkaa Compound is a stark reminder of the need for effective security measures to protect communities from such acts of violence and terrorism. The people of Chito town can only hope that the authorities will take swift and decisive action to prevent another tragedy from occurring.
