Tension gripped Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, after unidentified gunmen shot dead a repentant bandit, Kyoga Joka, at the town’s bustling main market on Monday.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived at the crowded trading hub and opened fire directly on Joka, who was serving with the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Ukum.
The gunfire sparked panic as traders and shoppers fled in all directions, abandoning goods and leaving the market in chaos.
Local sources confirmed that Joka died instantly at the scene. His killing has raised renewed fears about insecurity in Ukum, a local government that has faced repeated attacks and violent clashes in recent years.
Security operatives were reportedly deployed to restore order, though details of the manhunt for the perpetrators remain unclear at the time of filing this report.
Joka, once known as a notorious bandit, had reportedly renounced crime before joining the Civilian JTF, a local vigilante structure that supports state authorities in tackling insecurity.
The latest attack has reignited debates over the risks faced by repentant fighters who return to communities, with many residents questioning whether enough is being done to guarantee their safety and reintegration.
