Armed men attacked Solozo Market in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State on Friday, killing one trader, abducting a woman, and leaving another person injured in a brazen daylight assault.
According to eyewitnesses, six gunmen arrived at the busy marketplace on three Bajaj motorcycles around 2:20 pm, specifically targeting traders who had come to purchase pepper and other produce.
The assailants opened fire indiscriminately, killing 29-year-old Imoter Denen from Harga Village. During the chaos, they also abducted a woman identified as Nguveren Iorwuese and fled to an unknown location. Another trader, Saater Akwaza, was hit by a stray bullet and sustained injuries.
Military personnel responded to distress calls but arrived after the attackers had escaped. A military source confirmed they were in the vicinity when the attack occurred but could not intercept the gunmen in time.
The injured victim has been taken to the General Hospital in Katsina-Ala for medical treatment, while the body of the deceased has been released to his family for burial following their request.
This violent incident has heightened tensions in the area, with residents calling for increased security presence and urgent government intervention to prevent further attacks.
Rising Insecurity in Benue State
The attack on Solozo Market adds to growing concerns about security challenges in Benue State, particularly in border communities like Katsina-Ala. Local authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident or efforts to rescue the abducted woman.
This incident marks the latest in a series of security challenges facing rural communities in Benue State, where armed attacks have disrupted economic activities and threatened civilian safety.
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