Three people were killed and 13 others sustained gunshot wounds during a battle between soldiers and bandits at Abaji in Shitile axis of Katsina-Ala local government area of Benue State.
21st Century Chronicle learnt that the incident happened after the bandits, suspected to be loyalists of the slain criminal kingpin, Terwase Akwaza, aka ‘Gana’, invaded Abaji market at about 4pm on Wednesday evening, and open fire on the people, which led to the death of one person, while 13 were injured.
It was also learnt that soldiers later arrived at the scene and repelled the bandits.
The Chairman of Katsina Ala local government area, Alfred Atera, confirmed the incident, and said three people were killed while 13 others were injured during the attack. He said one villager was killed during the, while the soldiers killed two bandits during their encounter.
But spokesperson, Benue state Police Command, Catherine Anene, who also confirmed the incident said one person was killed in the market. She said 11 people were injured in the attack.
Anene said the bandits disguised as buyers when they stormed the market and started shooting sporadically.
She said the bodies of the dead persons have been deposited in the morgue, while the injured persons have been taken to Kastina-Ala General Hospital.
