By Pascal Ibe

Claim

An X user 99% Oppressed claimed that soldiers and Zaki Bam youths in Benue State are fighting.

Verdict

This claim is Misleading. It’s was true that Benue youths protested violently on Wednesday over unend killings by bandits in the State, however, there was no battle between youths and soldiers as claimed.

Full Text

An X user named 99% Oppressed has claimed battle raged between Zaki Bam youths and soldiers on Wednesday.

He made this claim with a video showing a building on fire and soldiers’ van close to the place.

According to the post on X , the user wrote, “Breaking News!
Serious fighting in Zaki biam.
Soldiers and and zaki biam youths are currently fighting.
“Several government properties have been destroyed. Access bank, first banks, and some schools were also destroyed. The road safety’s Office and their cars were burnt down. Benue link car burnt down and other local government offices burnt down. Over 20 dead bodies littered around. Cars are currently stranded at wukari filling station.
“If you are currently heading towards that direction, or intend to, please suspend it.

“For people that don’t know, Zaki Biam is a town in Benue State, this town has suffered a lot in the hands of Nigerian soldiers. In 200, the indigenes were the victims of extra judicial killings by Nigerian soldiers which led to death of over 200 people living in the town.“

By this post on X, people who have relatives around there will be scared as the fight between youths and soldiers may take long to end.

Many persons who commented on this expressed fear over the incident.

See some comments below 👇

This claim also circulated on many WhatsApp groups on Wednesday.

Benue is one of the North Central States in Nigeria which has recorded continuous killings by armed bandits over the years.

Recently, bandits were enforcing a compulsory monthly tax of ₦20 million on residents of three communities in Ukum LGA, Benue State. The bandit leader, known as ‘Full Fire’, mandated ₦50,000 monthly from every home.

Report has revealed hundreds were killed in 119 militant attacks targeting predominantly Christian communities in one state alone, in 2023. Extremists murdered 414 people and injured, raped or kidnapped almost 100 more in Benue State last year, according to a report sent to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) by Makurdi Diocese’s Foundation for Justice, Development and Peace.

Verification

Reports on Wednesday stated that protesters demanding to be addressed by the Caretaker Chairman of Ukum Local Government Council in Benue State, set the Ukum Local Government Secretariat ablaze due to ongoing killings in the area.

Additionally, the High Court in Sankera was also set on fire. The residence, secondary school, and warehouse of Hon. Paul Biam, Chief of Staff to the State Government, in Biam were torched.

The residence of the district head of Borkiyo was set ablaze. Protesters blocked the federal road leading to Taraba State. A police station was attacked, but officers repelled the assailants, resulting in two deaths.

The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Sankara, the headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area in Benue State was attacked and burnt on Wednesday by protesting youths.

Also, confirmed the attack in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, youths attached and razed the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Sankara, the headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area in Benue.

the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Prof. Sam Egwu noted that

The protest escalated to include the destruction of several government facilities, including the INEC office.

It was not reported anywhere that Zaki Bam youths and soldiers engaged in a fierce battle on Wednesday.

No news that over 20 bodies littered the roads or destruction of Banks and some schools on Wednesday in Benue State.

See the report of violent protests Here and Here.

Curfew Imposed

Reacting, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue state imposed 24 hours curfew on Ukum Local Government Area, LGA, of the state.

In his speech, the Governor drew the attention of the people at home and in the diaspora, and all stakeholders as well as security agencies to the situation saying “This morning being July 3, 2024, the Government of Benue State was surprised with grave security situation in Ukum LGA of the State which has lead to the breakdown of law and order, leading to wanton destruction of government property and threats to lives.

Conclusion

Violent protest happened on Wednesday around Zaki Bam in Ukun Local Government Area, Benue State. But the claim that it was a serious fighting between soldiers and the youths is Misleading.