Gunmen have killed mourners in Mbacher Council Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government area of Benue State, The Nation reports.
Chairman of the local government, Hon Afled Atera, confirmed the incident.
Atera said the gunmen stormed the burial of a tax collector, Zaki Atser Nor, opening fire and killing five mourners on the spot.
The Nation gathered the gunmen were suspected militia loyal to slain Benue war lord Terwase Akwaze aka Gana.
Speaking to newsmen by telephone on Sunday, Chairman of Kastina-Ala LGA, Alfred Atera confirmed the killing saying five persons were killed during the attack.
Atera told reporters: “Five persons were killed at a burial on Saturday. It was a reprisal. You know one of the boys, Janta was killed. It was a reprisal.
“The gunmen only wanted to make a statement by storming that burial and killing people.
“It’s not that they had anything against the man that was being buried. In fact, one of the in-laws from Vandeikya who provided the coffin for the burial of the deceased man was sadly gunned down by the invading gunmen.”
Benue police spokesman Kate Anene, a SP, said she was yet to get the report from Katsina Ala.
