One killed, two injured in Benue checkpoint attack

One person was killed and two others injured when armed bandits attacked a Civil Protection Guard checkpoint in Abaji Town, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. Security expert Zagazola Makama, citing security sources in a post on X on Thursday, said the incident occurred on Wednesday, March 4. The deceased, 43-year-old Aondohemba Kavee, was shot during the attack, while Orgase Nyikya and a passerby, Tyolumum Tsenongu, sustained gunshot injuries. “Armed bandits attacked a Civil Protection Guard checkpoint at Abaji Town in Katsina-Ala LGA, killing one person and injuring two others,” Makama wrote. “The injured victims were rushed to Katsina-Ala General Hospital for treatment, while the deceased’s body was deposited in the hospital mortuary.” He added that Army troops and other security operatives responded swiftly, cordoning off the area and arresting two suspects linked to the assault. Authorities are reportedly pursuing other fleeing members of the gang. Efforts to reach the state police spokesperson, Udeme Edet, for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to her line were not responded to at the time of filing this report. PUNCH Metro had reported in February that renewed attacks in Apa Local Government Area of the state left two people dead, highlighting the ongoing insecurity challenges in Benue communities.