The North Bank area of Makurdi in Benue State is increasingly being perceived as a dangerous zone due to rampant violence from hoodlums who are openly targeting and killing innocent individuals.
In just the past week, reports indicate that six people have been murdered by these criminals, instilling a pervasive fear among the local population as the uncertainty of safety looms large.
An investigation by ELANZANEWS reveals that many residents have fled the area in search of safety, uncertain of who might be the next victim.
Boniface Tor, a resident of Akpehe, a nearby suburb, expressed concern for his family members living in North Bank, stating that they can’t rest easy due to the escalating violence. He highlighted the lack of security personnel to curb the hoodlums’ actions, as they carry out attacks, causing injury and death without facing any resistance.
ELANZANEWS found that these criminals operate freely both day and night, indiscriminately attacking and robbing residents of their possessions.
Reports indicate that parts of North Bank are taking on an eerie, deserted appearance, with heavily impacted areas including Federal Housing, Ter Guma Street, Day Spring, ECWA Secondary School, Udei Street, and Federal Low Cost.
Mrs. Christiana Iveren Tyav, a staff member at the Ministry of Defence stationed at NASME Barracks in North Bank, voiced her concerns about the area’s instability. She mentioned that she has stopped working evening and night shifts for safety reasons, opting to stay at the barracks to avoid potential harm.
An eyewitness shared that students from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University and Akawe Torkula Polytechnic have also been victims of these attacks at SRS junction, where they were robbed of their phones and money in broad daylight. The eyewitness noted that the attackers do not hesitate to resort to violence if their victims resist.
Efforts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue State for a response have been unsuccessful, as her phone lines are reportedly unreachable.
