THUGS ABDUCT MORTUARY ATTENDANT, DISRUPT MASS BURIAL OF BANDIT ATTACK VICTIMS IN BENUE
Read Time:2 Minute, 30 Second
Agency Report
Suspected thugs on Thursday abducted a mortuary attendant at NKST Hospital in Jato Aka, the headquarters of Kwande Local Government Area in Benue State, in an apparent attempt to stop a planned mass burial for victims of a recent bandit attack in the area.
The attendant, identified as MT Tiga, was reportedly abducted when the attackers stormed the hospital and sealed the mortuary, preventing families from accessing the bodies of their loved ones deposited there.
The burial was planned for victims of a deadly attack carried out by suspected bandits on March 5 in Tyungu Jam and Mbaav communities, located in the Yaav and Mbadura council wards of Kwande LGA.
The attack left several residents dead and many others injured.
Reacting to the incident, Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue State, had earlier condemned the killings as “senseless and barbaric” and urged security agencies to apprehend those responsible. The statement was issued by his media aide, Solomon Iorpev.
According to sources, 11 victims were scheduled for a mass burial on Thursday, an event that had attracted mourners and clergy members from within and outside the state. However, the ceremony was disrupted after the mortuary was sealed and the attendant abducted, leaving families unable to retrieve the bodies.
Condemning the incident, the All Progressives Congress in Benue described the act as disgraceful and alleged it was politically sponsored.
In a statement by the party’s state publicity secretary, Daniel Ihomun, the party said sponsored thugs abducted the mortuary attendant and shut down the facility in a desperate bid to stop the people of Turan from conducting a mass burial for those killed in Mbachoon, Yaav District of Turan.
“This barbaric act is not only inhumane but also an assault on the fundamental right of a community to mourn and bury their dead with dignity,” the statement read.
The party added that the people of Turan had the right to determine how to bury their loved ones and to draw attention to what it described as ongoing attacks by armed Fulani bandits in the area.
The statement also commended Alex Barbir, who reportedly travelled from the United States to show solidarity with the affected community and witness the burial ceremony.
Similarly, the President-General of Mdzough U Tiv Worldwide, retired Comptroller General of Prisons Iorbee Ihagh, described the development as shameful.
“It is very shameful. People came from far away, even outside the country, but the mortuary attendant was not seen and the place was locked. The people wanted to force the mortuary open, but the priest advised them against it,” he said.
However, the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Neji Terhile, said organisers of the mass burial did not take into account the volatile security situation in the area.
“You are aware that these people slept in their houses and were attacked by Fulanis. Mobilising a mass burial in such a community is a death trap,” the chairman said, adding that some of the victims had already been buried.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0