A woman identified as Mbayegh has been arrested following an alleged arson attack that led to the deaths of the two teenage daughters of her lover in the Kaffe area of Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

A resident, Afaakaa Sankera, said the suspect allegedly visited the residence of one Aondoyima Ierkwagh, said to be her lover, on Sunday night but was reportedly asked to leave the premises.

Witnesses alleged that the woman refused to leave after suspecting that another woman was inside the house, leading to an argument.

It was gathered that Aondoyima later locked his two daughters inside a traditional round hut and left the compound.

According to residents, the suspect allegedly set the hut ablaze, believing another woman was inside.

The two girls, who were asleep in the hut at the time, were caught in the fire.

One of the victims reportedly died at the scene, while the second sustained severe burns and later died in hospital.

The deceased were identified as the daughters of Aondoyima Ierkwagh, an indigene of Tsehe in Tongov, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, who currently resides at his maternal home in Zaki-Biam.

Their mother was reportedly away in Taraba State for farming activities when the incident occurred.

The suspect was said to have attempted to flee after the incident but was apprehended by members of the Volunteer Guards near Tse-Dugwer village before being handed over to the police.

The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, who confirmed the incident, said the suspect is in police custody and is being interrogated while investigations continue to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police urged members of the public to remain calm and allow investigators to conclude their work, assuring that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

At least five people have been killed and several women abducted after suspected bandits led by notorious kingpin Bello Turji invaded Lajinge community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack was disclosed in a post shared on Wednesday by conflict reporter Bakatsine via his X handle.

According to the report, the assailants stormed the community on Tuesday night, killing five residents and injuring eight others, who were subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.

The attackers also reportedly abducted several women, although the exact number of those kidnapped remains unknown.

In addition to the killings and abductions, the bandits allegedly rustled a large number of livestock and looted valuables belonging to residents before fleeing the area.

The fate of those abducted remains unclear, a development that has triggered fears and anxiety among residents of the community over their safety and possible further attacks.

Bakatsine said Bello Turji’s persistent attacks on communities within the axis have continued to fuel fear, displacement and loss of lives.

“Bello Turji’s relentless attacks on communities across this axis have continued to cause fear, displacement and loss of lives.

How long will these communities continue to endure this cycle of terror without a decisive end to the attacks?” he wrote.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to confirm the incident or issue any official statement on the reported attack.

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have killed two suspects alleged to be kidnappers in Ilu Abo, along Akure-Owo highway, Akure North Local Council Area of the state.

The suspects numbering about seven had invaded a block industry in the community in the early hours of Wednesday when men of the Federal Highway Patrol Unit responded to a distress call.

While confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abayomi Jimoh, revealed that during the gun duel, two of the suspects were neutralized while other members of the gang fled into the bush with gunshot wounds.

“A patrol team from the Federal Highway Patrol Unit, Ilu-Abo responded to a distress call regarding the activities of armed men at Olaiya Block Industry, located beside Ilu-Abo High School.

“During the encounter, two of the suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while the remaining members of the gang escaped into the surrounding bush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

“Meanwhile, one locally fabricated pistol, Live Catridges, four mobile phones, several face masks, as well as two ATM Cards believed to belong to the criminal syndicate or their victims were recovered.”