By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
He was a bandit, armed militia member, known, feared and reportedly did what armed non-state actors in the country are said to do.
But there comes a time when a man says “no more” and looks to live clean and be on the right side of the law.
After all, in Biblical times, Saul, a military leader and human demolition ally of the ruling Israelite elite, personally participated in the torture, imprisonment of several early Christians as well as consented to the murder of the martyr, Stephen.
Indeed, he was on his way to visit more atrocities on the group when divine hands transformed him into an entirely new being and he repented and even had a name change.
As repentances and transformations go, that of Kyoga Joka of Zaki Biam, Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), Benue State, was yet another.
Apparently remorseful, sources said he had turned a new leaf and even joined the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) to help put down the odious scourge of his former occupation.
But his case did not end well. He was targeted and shot to death by yet-to-be-identified gunmen who later escaped his Zaki Biam community reportedly through Bossua, another community in same LGA.
Remember Zaki Biam? The town where scores of residents were massacred in 2001 in a revenge killing by soldiers following reports that 19 soldiers were murdered there. Many properties, including a house linked to former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Victor Malu, were destroyed in the revenge action.
The town has since been in and out of the state’s violence profile.
Was Joka’s killing karma? Or just what? This riddle forms part of what crack detectives are presently trying to unravel with a fine tooth comb.
After several months of harmonious and peaceful coexistence of its residents, the town again erupted in panic as yet-to-be-identified gunmen stormed the town.
People&Politics gathered that since Joka joined the JTF, he was always either found in his residence or at work with the JTF.
Sources told our reporter that the unidentified gunmen came to the town on,among others, a Bajaj motorcycle, located him and proceeded to spray bullets on him, killing him instantly.
The repeated sound of gunfire, it was learned, sent shockwaves on residents of the area, with many scampering to safety.
Some residents revealed that the attackers’ motorcycle and an AK-47 rifle were spotted and recovered after they accomplished their objective and fled the scene of death.
A resident of the town, who spoke on condition of anonymity for personal security reasons, told People&Politics that panic has engulfed the town since the incident as “no one knows what would happen the next moment.”
According to the resident, the usually buoyant town is wearing the look of a ghost town presently.
Some sources claimed that the attackers may have been rival militia group members who came to take their pound of flesh, irrespective of Joka’s repentance.
But other sources said the gunmen could be members of his former group who felt that, though repented, Joka could expose them and open their flanks to attack.
However, following the killing, security has been beefed up in Zaki Ibiam to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Calm is said to be returning to the town even as social activities are still not at usual momentum.
Joka was a blood relation of a deceased gubernatorial aspirant in the State, Jonathan Biam.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Joka.
