Gunmen have shot dead two soldiers and three civilians while several houses set ablaze at Shege community in Umaisha Development Area in Toto LGA of Nasarawa State.

City & Crime had earlier reported that gunmen on February 7, 2024, killed three soldiers, two civilians in an ambush at neighboring Katakpa community while troops were on patrol in the area.

It was also reported that the gunmen had on February 25, 2024, again launched an attack and killed the village chief of Katakpa, Abubakar Ahmadu, two police officers as well as eleven civilians, in which several houses including the house of the late chief were reportedly burnt down.

Confirming the latest attack, a resident of Katakpa, Ibrahim Saidu, said the incident happened around 2:33 am on Wednesday, when the bandits launched the attack on Shege community.

“Actually, the troops who were stationed at neighboring Katakpa received a distress call and while on their way, some of the gunmen laid ambush on them and killed two soldiers on the spot,” he said.

He said the remains of the soldiers were moved to Toto LGA General Hospital, from where they will be moved to Lafia Federal Medical Center’s mortuary.

The chairman of Toto LGA of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Tashas, also confirmed the killing of two soldiers and three civilians in the latest attack by gunmen at Shege community in the area.

The chairman, who attributed the attack to hired mercenaries to undermine peace in the local government, said the council would not relent in its efforts to continue to protect lives and property of the good people of the area.

The spokesman of the Nasarawa state police command, SP Ramhan Nansel, did not pick calls or reply to text message sent to him on the incident as at the time of filling the report. (Daily Trust)

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