Samuel Omang
The fragile peace in Benue State was shattered on Monday when unidentified gunmen in Benue gunned down a repentant bandit, Kyoga Joka, in broad daylight at the bustling Zaki-Biam market, Ukum Local Government Area. The shocking incident sent traders and buyers fleeing in panic, once again underscoring the rising wave of Benue insecurity.
Witnesses said the attackers, who rode into the market on motorcycles, moved with precision and headed straight for Joka, who had long abandoned his violent past and was serving with the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Ukum. Within seconds, gunshots rang out and the man once feared in the area lay lifeless, sparking chaos as residents abandoned goods and scattered for safety.
Joka’s killing has stirred uneasy conversations across Ukum. Many residents believe the fatal attack may have been a calculated bandit attack in Benue, possibly retaliation for his role in helping security operatives track violent groups in the Sankera axis.
“He was a marked man,” one resident said. “Everyone knew he had crossed to the other side, and maybe the killers wanted to send a message.”
The Zaki-Biam market, often called the “Yam Market of Nigeria,” fell silent as fear gripped the community. Business owners hurriedly locked up shops, and movement across nearby villages slowed, reflecting deepening anxiety over recurring violence in the state.
Ukum and its neighboring local governments have for years been the epicenter of kidnappings, banditry, and communal clashes.
The assassination of a repentant bandit who had embraced peace highlights the dangerous reality that gunmen in Benue continue to operate with impunity, despite efforts by security agencies to stabilize the region.
As of press time, the Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement. But residents insist that unless urgent steps are taken, the latest killing will only add fuel to the crisis of Benue insecurity that has refused to abate.