Several people including mourners were feared killed on Friday night by unknown gunmen at two communities within Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. 

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Although, the actual casualty figure in the two attacks is yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report, there are indications in the area alleging that more than 30 persons may have been killed by the gunmen.

A source from the community Jerry Lorngeam who spoke by phone said some gunmen stormed the venue of the wake keeping on Friday night on Motorcycle at Tor Gbev Ikue Amaafu, in Tongov Community in Katsina-Ala Local Government and opened fire on them allegedly killing about 20 people with several people sustained injuries.

He also said just while the people of the community were still mourning the late-night attack, some unknown gunmen rode on a Bajaj motorcycle and opened on Ikyulav Tiev Community in the same Katsina-Ala killing eight persons in the process.

He noted that it may not be unconnected with the Shitile /Ikyulav Tiev communal clashes.

Efforts to get the State Police Command to confirm the report failed as the PPRO, DSP Catherine Anene neither picked her to call nor respond to the text message sent to her at the time of this report.

However, council boss of Katsina-Ala, Mrs Virginia Kpindi who confirmed the report said the number of death was far lesser than the number being quoted.

Kpindi who spoke to our correspondent by phone said more than three persons were killed in both attacks while others who were injured were receiving treatment at the hospital.

She blamed the incessant attacks in the area on youth restiveness and called on the youths to get engaged in useful ventures rather than taking to crime and fomenting violence.