Kastina-Ala unrest: Benue community, Army battle over alleged killing of 30 youths by soldiers

There is currently confusion in Benue community over the whereabouts of about 30 indigenes of Kenvanger in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State recent arrested by members of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) operating in the area.

It would be recalled that the 30 indigenes were said to have been arrested by troops in November, 2020 over the mayhem that broke out in the area.

However, some locals are of the belief that the troops may have killed the locals, the military spike operation in the state said that the suspects were alive and well.

Some of the locals who spoke with Daily Independent in Katsina-Ala weekend also alleged that following the ban on motorcycles in the area, instead of impounding bikes that flouted the directive of the State Security Council (SSC), the troops have resorted to setting impounded bikes on fire.

Meanwhile, the OPWS has refuted the allegation that bikes were being set on fire, saying the claim is baseless and untrue.

Even though the chairman of the LGA, Alfred Atera, confirmed the burning of bikes, he said he had received the report that only one bike was set on fire as at Sunday.

On the arrests, the locals alleged that the 30 suspects were picked up by the troops while they were planning for the burial of one Igbalagh Aondoakaa, who died of a bike accident along the Gbise-Atumbe-Kenvanger road on November 21, 2020.

The natives explained that since the suspects were arrested about two months ago, their families were yet to hear from them, just as none of them had been returned by the troops.

The inhabitants of the area further noted that although the OPWS had denied making the arrests, they had severally sighted the vehicles used to convey the suspects at the military base in Gbishe.

However, OPWS has debunked the allegation of mass killing of suspects, adding that the military would never embark on such a venture.

General Yekini, who spoke with Daily Independent on phone, declined comments on the issues. He, however, referred us to the Information Unit of Defence Headquarters headed by General Enenche.

Similarly, the Katsina-Ala LGA chairman, Alfred At­era, told Daily Independent that in situations like this, there were bound to be resistance.

He observed: “Personally, I’m not aware that bikes have been set on fire. It was just now that someone informed me that one bike has been set ablaze. I did not authorise anyone to set any bike on fire.

“I spoke to the DPO (District Police Officer), he explained that he was in touch with the CP (Commissioner of Police), who said if the impounded bikes were many on the ground, he would send a vehicle to move them to Makurdi.

“But, you know, in a situation like this, there are some people do these things with impunity, so out of abound to be resistances; someone may do that (set a bike ablaze), but I was informed that only one bike has been set on fire. ­

“Also, I’ve been in touch with the chairman of the motorcycle association in Katsina-Ala, but he is yet to report anything to me.”