A sense of fear and uncertainty has settled over Chito town in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria, after a violent attack by armed bandits on Saturday. The raid, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, targeted the Tse-Mamkaa Compound, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake.
According to reports, the bandits, numbering over ten, stormed the compound at around 2:26 a.m., subjecting the residents to a terrifying ordeal that lasted for approximately one hour and thirty minutes. The attackers beat family members, ransacked homes, and made off with a wide range of valuables, including clothing, footwear, food items, and kitchen supplies. The victims were even robbed of basic essentials such as salt, seasoning cubes, and flour.
Dr. Isaac H. Mamkaa, a lecturer at the Department of Political Science, College of Education, Katsina-Ala, has come forward to confirm the incident, revealing that two of his family members, Timothy T. Mamkaa and Nathaniel Mwuesega Mamkaa, the head of the family, sustained injuries during the assault. The household of their grandfather, Kur Sev Adudu, was also not spared.
What’s more alarming, however, is the warning issued by the bandits during the attack. According to Dr. Mamkaa, the attackers vowed to return for a second, more devastating assault. This ominous threat has understandably left the family and the community on edge, with Dr. Mamkaa appealing to the relevant authorities to take timely 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 pleaded in his letter to the authorities.
As the community struggles to come to terms with the trauma of the attack, security agencies have yet to issue an official statement or make any arrests. The people of Chito town are now left to wonder when justice will be served and when they can feel safe in their homes once again. The attack has highlighted the urgent need for increased security measures to be put in place to protect vulnerable communities from the threat of armed banditry.
