No fewer than 17 people were reportedly killed in different villages of two local government areas in Benue State.

A woman was also abducted in one of the villages.

The killings occurred within the past three days in Agatu and Kastina-Ala LGAs respectively, local sources told our correspondent on Thursday.

Fifteen persons were allegedly killed in Kastina-Ala communities by armed invaders while the other two were murdered in Agatu in circumstances which some blamed on the activities of cultists.

Residents of Katsina-Ala alleged that some communities in the council area were living in apprehension due to constant killings.

A native, who did not want to be mentioned, alleged that some people were being kidnapped with cases of women raped on daily basis.

“Let no one lie; the killing is still ongoing in the rural areas, most especially in Mbatyula, Mbayongo and Yooyo council wards of the Kastina-Ala Local Government Area.

“Not less than seven people in Mbatyula council ward were killed on Tuesday while Emmanuel Apever’s wife from Kenvanger was abducted to an unknown destination.

“In Tse Ate, three persons were killed and another two persons also killed at Saawua compound while three were reportedly killed in Tse Asaa. All in Mbagbeentya community of Mbatyula council ward,” a resident alleged.

Information Officer of the Kastina-Ala Council, Tertsea Benga, confirmed the development, saying some armed invaders were doing bad things to the villagers despite the success recorded so far by security operatives drafted to the area.

In Agatu LGA, it was learnt that there was renewed conflict on Tuesday between Aila and Abugbe communities of Agatu.

The local government Secretary, Sunday Oteyi, said two persons, who went fishing in Aila, a rural community in Agatu, were hacked to death by unidentified culprits.

Oteyi said the bodies of the deceased had been recovered by the police in the area and deposited in a hospital morgue.

Though Chairman of Agatu LGA, Sule Adoyi, dismissed any fresh hostility among the people, he added that “we are on top of the situation”.

Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer for Benue Command, Catherine Anene, said she would find out if there were such reports from police in the affected areas.

Punch