By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Uke’adiegba community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, a border town with Taraba, has called on the Federal Government to investigate what they described as the criminal invasion of the newly established Adiegba Market by a combined team of security operatives.
Mr. Kwaghkar Ugber, the market chairman, and Mr. Isaac Tarwa, the secretary, told Nigerian Tribune on Thursday via telephone that the security team, led by a popular military officer in the axis identified as Dan-Zulu, stormed the market on Wednesday and began shooting sporadically.
They alleged that the operatives set several shops ablaze, arrested six people, seized large sums of money from traders, and went away with four motorcycles.
According to them, the security personnel claimed they were on a special operation tagged “Clean Up Sankera” aimed at apprehending a notorious criminal leader, Anyogor Tamen.
The community leaders, however, questioned why the security operatives, under the guise of hunting criminals, would engage in acts of destruction and extortion.
“We wish to call on the Chief of Army Staff, as well as the Federal and Benue State governments, to investigate the action of the combined team of security operatives led by Dan-Zulu in Adiegba Market yesterday,” the leaders stated.
“At first, when we saw Dan-Zulu, we thought he was in the market for a normal visit. Before we knew it, his men started shooting sporadically and people had to run for their lives. They destroyed shops, set parts of the market on fire, arrested six people, collected money from traders, and left with four motorcycles.
“We were told they claimed to be in search of a criminal gang leader, Anyogor Tamen. Unfortunately, they did not see Anyogor or his boys but instead committed such acts against innocent traders. Both the Katsina-Ala LGA chairman and his Ukum counterpart have promised to investigate the matter. The actions of the operatives were purely criminal, and we appeal to all relevant authorities to investigate,” they added.
Meanwhile, the chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Council, Hon. Dr. Justin Oragoholga Shaku, said the operation was part of the routine “Clean Up Sankera” exercise aimed at flushing out criminals from the area.
“I have heard people say I sent the security to destroy the market. Such comments are coming from enemies of Uke’adiegba community and Katsina-Ala LGA. I personally inaugurated the market; why would I send security to destroy it?” Shaku asked.
He explained that his findings showed the security team had intelligence that a notorious criminal leader, Anyogor Tamen, was near the market with his gang.
“They invaded the area in search of him. Though they did not get Anyogor, they arrested those he was seen with. I am following up on those arrested as well as on the motorcycles that were taken. The security did not destroy the market, nor snatch money from traders or assault women as alleged. I have already directed the community to resume normal activities in the market. There is no tension in the area,” the council chairman stated.
