By Adeosun Christiana Pelumi (SIWES student, D S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic)
On Monday evening, tragedy struck in Ukoosaa-Atam, a village just one kilometer from Ayati in Ukum Local Government Area, Benue State.
A violent gang conflict, an escalation from the weekend clash between the Chain Gang and Full Fire groups in Ayati, claimed the lives of 10 passengers on tricycles and a commercial motorcycle.
The armed assailants, linked to rival gangs, unleashed chaos on the village, firing indiscriminately and leaving several others injured.
This incident adds to a series of recent attacks in Ukum, prompting residents to flee in fear.
Joseph Har, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, clarified that it’s a gang conflict, not a communal crisis, and the government is actively working on strategies to restore peace.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, was unavailable for comment.