A MUST READ: Nigerian Soldiers Engage In Reprisal Attack, Invade Benue Community, Burn Down 300 Homes

Angry Nigerian soldiers reportedly stormed a community in Benue State and set about 300 houses ablaze, an official has told Premium Times. The soldiers were on a reprisal attack over the killing of one of their colleagues near the community on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

According to reports, the irate soldiers stormed Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area, at about 11:00 am and began to burn down residential buildings and commercial stores. Properties and goods, especially cash crops, estimated in millions were destroyed during the incident. This account was reported by Francis Ayagah, chairman of the local government who spoke to journalists by telephone on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

Ayagah said: “A soldier was killed by hoodlums on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, but I met with the brigade commander around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, 2018. He gave me a list of suspects and we arrested five of them overnight. It was while we were trying to take them to the brigade that soldiers stormed the town and started burning houses.”

“A part of the town has been completely burnt down and we’re appealing for help and understanding from the soldiers.”

The troops were said to have spent more than two hours burning down properties in Naka, which is about 45 kilometers from Makurdi, the state capital. Ayagah said homes of citizens were mostly affected rather than those suspected to have killed the soldiers.