No fewer than 58 people have been killed in a bloody weekend marked by fresh armed attacks and a communal clash across three local government areas of Benue State.
At least 43 of the victims were said to have been killed in renewed attacks by armed attackers on communities in Gwer West and Apa LGAs.
In a separate incident, 15 others were hacked to death during a communal clash between two neighbouring communities in Gwer East LGA.
The latest attacks, which occurred on Sunday evening, mark another bloody episode, just one week after 42 people, including a police officer, were killed in similar attacks on villages within Gwer West.
Our correspondent reports that as of June 1, 2025, the killing of 43 people in the latest attack on Gwer West and Apa LGAs brings the total number of deaths from armed attacks in Benue State between April 1 and June 1 to 270 – all within 61 days.
Locals told our correspondent in Makurdi that in the latest incident, the attackers stormed Tse Antswam, a suburb of Naka town in Gwer West LGA, around 7pm and opened fire indiscriminately, leaving at least 18 dead and many others wounded.
Survivors said several villagers fled into nearby bushes or even ‘jumped into wells’ to escape the onslaught.
The traditional ruler of the area, Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse, confirmed the death toll and described the style of the attack as guerrilla-like.
He said, “As of this morning (Monday), 18 bodies have been recovered. Some of the wounded may not survive because they were badly attacked. The search for more victims is ongoing.”
Abomtse noted that the affected village lies opposite a military checkpoint along the abandoned Naka–Makurdi road which, according to him, raises further concerns over the brazenness of the attackers.
In Apa LGA, the attack was equally devastating as local sources said gunmen invaded Edikwu Ankpali community killing over 25 people.
A resident, who identified himself as Tony, told journalists in Makurdi on the phone that, “Over 25 corpses have been counted in Edikwu Ankpali. Burial arrangements are already underway for some of the victims.”
A former government official, John Ikwulono, added that Opaha community was also attacked early on Monday morning, with casualties yet to be confirmed.
The chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Ormini, expressed frustration.
His counterpart in Apa, Adams Ocheiga, confirmed the attacks and said he was en route to the affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has again dissociated its members from the killings in the state, saying they know nothing about it.
Ibrahim Galma, the State MACBAN Secretary, told our correspondent on the phone that he was surprised to hear the late development, adding, “We don’t even know what is happening anymore. This is purely criminality.”
Meanwhile, the new spokeswoman of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the incidents but did not give specific casualty figures.
“This is to confirm there was an attack yesterday at Naka and Apa. Tactical teams have been deployed and are already on ground. I’ll provide accurate figures once I get full details,” she stated in a WhatsApp message.
270 killed in 61 days as armed attackers ravage 10 LGAs
Between April 1 and June 1, 2025, at least 270 people have been killed in a relentless wave of armed attacks across 10 LGAs in Benue State.
The most recent attack, on June 1, claimed 43 lives in Gwer West and Apa LGAs, marking one of the deadliest incidents.
The Sankera axis (Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum) recorded the highest death toll with 83 fatalities in five days of attacks between April 17 and April 21.
Other major incidents include Otukpo LGA, where 16 people were killed in multiple attacks between April 4 and May 7.
Locals believe the actual figures may be higher due to unreported incidents in remote and hard-to-reach communities.
Several local government areas have witnessed sustained attacks during this period, including Gwer East, Guma, the Sankera axis (comprising Katsina-Ala, Logo, and Ukum), Otukpo, Gwer West, Kwande, Apa, Agatu, and Makurdi.
Following the latest attack, Gwer West LGA is following Sankera, having recorded over 60 deaths in eight days.
Women in Benue, led by the President of the Faith Women Fellowship Ministry International, Evangelist Lydia Idoko, have intensified prayers asking God for divine intervention in the country.
Communal clash claims 15 lives as 200 houses razed
At least 15 people, including women and children, have been reportedly killed following a violent communal clash between residents of Mbakine and Ojumole communities in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.
Our correspondent gathered that the conflict, which reportedly erupted from a minor altercation in a local market, escalated into full-blown violence, leaving over 200 houses burnt and property worth millions of naira destroyed.
A local said that the crisis started over disagreement about the purchase of orange between a Tiv native and an Igede person at the rural market which held Thursday into Friday.
Meanwhile, the President of the Igede Youth Council, Comrade Andyson Iji Egbodo, in a statement issued on Sunday, June 1, 2025, described the situation as “harrowing,” calling on Governor Hyacinth Alia to urgently intervene and prevent further bloodshed.
“What began as a disagreement between two individuals has turned into a catastrophic communal crisis, devastating communities that have coexisted peacefully for generations,” Egbodo said.
He called for unity among the people of Benue to overcome internal strife and strengthen the state against external threats, emphasising that peace remains essential for the success of Governor Alia’s administration.
The Igede Youth Council also urged the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to promptly provide relief materials to displaced residents, many of whom are currently homeless and in dire need.
Meanwhile, the new Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, had yet to react to respond to inquiries about the incident.
Traditional ruler proffers solution
The traditional head of Ukum LGA, His Royal Highness, Chief Orkaa Kaave, the Ter Ukum, said the permanent solution lies in equipping local ‘boys’ to face the attackers headlong.
“Ordinarily, the attackers would be no match for our local operatives. I’m of the opinion that our local militias should forget their differences, come together and help to take care of this situation,” the second-class monarch posited in a phone chat with our correspondent.
A security analyst based in Makurdi, Clinton Agada, has called on the government to fully utilise available resources to curb the growing wave of attacks in the country, as he lamented that several recommendations from past security summits have been ignored instead of being implemented
“The government must invest heavily in technological equipment, such as long-range drones, which can address at least 50 per cent of the nation’s security challenges if properly deployed,” Agada said.
He added that remote surveillance and intelligence-gathering technology would significantly reduce the impact of the attacks.
Agada further recommended that local vigilante groups be adequately equipped to support conventional security forces, noting that many agencies are overwhelmed due to widespread insecurity and overstretched personnel.
“I also suggest that the National Assembly take a more active role in overseeing the operations of security agencies and ensure that someone is held accountable whenever there are security lapses,” he said.
Insecurity will soon be thing of the past – Gov Alia
Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia has assured people of the state that insecurity would soon become a thing of the past.
He gave the assurance a few days ago at IBB Square in Makurdi during his second anniversary celebration while lamenting the security challenges staring the people of Benue in the face.(Daily trust)
