Chain Gang vs Full Fire: Death toll rises to 25 in Benue gang war

The death toll in the ongoing gang war in Benue State has tragically risen to 25, with three more individuals reportedly killed in the Ayati community of Ukum Local Government Area. This deadly conflict began over the weekend and has left communities in distress.

The violence erupted during a brutal clash between two rival criminal gangs, known as the “Chain Gang” and “Full Fire” groups, with the initial fatalities reported in Chito and Tyo Akosu communities of Ukum LGA. As the conflict escalated, it spilled into the Ayati community on Sunday evening, claiming the lives of three more suspected gang members.

An anonymous source from the area expressed the community’s growing fear and uncertainty, stating, “The fact is that no one knows who is what anymore among our youths. And we cannot tell who is sympathetic to any group and who is not. That is why the fight is getting messier, and they are killing human beings as if they were animals.”

Ezra Nyiyongo, the legislator representing Ukum State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, has called on the state government to intensify its efforts to address the crisis. He highlighted the recurring nature of the violence and urged the government to take a proactive stance in restoring peace to the region.

Nyiyongo further added the complex nature of the conflict, as it involves individuals from the same community turning against each other, making it even more challenging to resolve. He expressed his commitment to working with the government to find a sustainable solution to the ongoing crisis.