By Uzer Moses
Unknown gunmen killed a police officer, Sgt Justin Iwev recently in Mbaton, Tiir council ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue state.
Sgt Iwev who met his death while on duty was serving with Operation Zenda in Logo Local Government which owned a check point at Mbaton in Tiir council ward of Katsina-Ala LGA.
The Executive Chairman of Katsina-Ala council, Atera A. Alfred, in a telephone interview with The Voice Newspaper, confirmed the attack and killing of a police officer on duty and condemned such act, while promising never to relent in his fight against all forms of criminality in the local government.
When contacted, the Security Officer, Katsina-Ala Local Government, Mr Fidelis Shagbaor, said the ugly incident occurred when notorious criminals stormed Mbaton Yam Market and were forcefully extorting money from marketers and at the same time, threatening to kill them should anyone alert security agents.
Investigation revealed that the armed criminals, upon discovering the presence of the policemen at a check point, situated near the market, immediately attacked them and killed a police sergeant.
Relatedly, on the same day, unknown gunmen attacked and set ablaze the residences of the Abako Market Director, Mr Ushahemba Apeyum and that of his elder brother in Mbajir council ward of Katsina-Ala LGA while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.
It could be recalled that about two weeks ago, unknown gunmen killed 12 persons and set several houses on fire in Mbayongo and Utange council wards of Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue state.
