A commander of the Livestock Guards in Benue state, Jarule Likita, has been confirmed dead, following a targeted attack on his life by a group of unknown gunmen.
According to reports, Likita was attacked by armed men at Tine-Nune in Ukum Local Government Area of the state. He was shot multiple times in the chest, killing him on the spot.
State Commander of the Livestock Guards, Linus Zaki confirmed that four men have been recently assassinated in the area.
However, local sources say Likita’s death puts the figure of murdered Commanders at five.
“I was just informed that some armed men attacked and killed him (Likita). Today he is the only one that was killed. They have been killing them like that. Three of my men died about two months back. They just come, fire them and go away.
“They call them gunmen, unknown gunmen that is the report reaching me. One went to pick his wife and was gunned down so also others. I do not know where these gunmen are coming from,” Zaki said in a phone conversation with Daily Trust.
Until his brutal killing, Likita was in charge of operations of the Livestock Guards in Mbatian ward of Ukum LGA.
The Livestock Guards was set up by the government of Benue State under the leadership of Samuel Ortom, to operate across the state in order to guarantee total compliance with the State Anti-open Grazing Law.