Not fewer than 30 people were killed in Ayati, Borikyo ward,Ukum local government area of Benue State on Thursday by unknown gunmen.

9News Nigeria reports that,on Thursday, 8th August, 2024 (32) people were brutally massacred on by Suspected Fulani herdsmen aided by Tiv militias at Ayati village in Ukum Local Government Area of the State.

A report from an eye-witness who himself escaped death by the whisker reviewed that armed Tiv militias, leading Fulani herdsmen, stormed Ayati village on a market day and opened fire, Shooting sporadically on the locals many of whom died on the spot while others sustained various degrees of severe injuries.

According to the witness,Up till this moment, the exact death toll is uncertain as decomposing bodies of those slain are still being picked along bush paths, in the bush and/or on the farms,etc.

Those confirmed dead on the spot included two (2) police officers and thirty (30) civilians, many of whom have already been buried. The Ayati’s family alone lost six (6) persons.

Reports also emanating from other sources claimed that this deadly reprisal attack is the third one, between the months of July and August, 2024 and was masterminded by a Tiv militia gang leader called Ayôncô whose operating base with Fulani herdsmen was destroyed a few days ago by security personnel acting on the information of a local vigilante group based at Ayati village.

Due to increasing waves of insecurity in Ukum Local Government Area, most of the villages in the area have been deserted as farmers are unable to access their farms. Commerical activities have equally been grounded and food security threatened with many people fleeing in droves to Zaki-Biam where they are now living as internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom are without food, or any means of sustenance or even a place to shelter themselves from cruel elements.

Today, Sunday 11 August,2024,was indeed a sad day as mourners gather at Ayati to bury their loved ones in a Mass Burial, Amidst tears.