A coordinated attack by suspected armed herders has claimed the lives of a family of eight and nine other individuals in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State. Several others sustained serious injuries, while some residents are still unaccounted for.
The deadly incident occurred less than a day after locals raised concerns about heavily armed herders, reportedly carrying AK-47 rifles, roaming the area without restriction. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants invaded Tyuluv, Saror, and Mbawar communities on Thursday night, unleashing sporadic gunfire that continued into the early hours of Friday. “They came with thousands of cattle and AK-47 rifles. People were afraid to confront them because they were prepared to shoot anyone,” a local source said. “People are now abandoning their homes. The most painful part is that there’s no safe place left.”
In Ukum LGA, a family of eight—women and children included—was reportedly among those killed, unable to flee in time. The attackers also targeted parts of neighboring Logo LGA, and by Friday morning, bodies were being evacuated to the Anyiin mortuary. Locals fear the aim of the attacks is to take over the Sankera region, a vital agricultural hub in the state. “This is happening just as farming is set to begin. With food already expensive, the situation could become worse,” the source added.
Confirming the incident, the Benue State Police Command said in a statement from its Public Relations Officer, CSP Catherine Anene, that 17 bodies had so far been recovered.She said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabanet, had deployed tactical teams to join security forces already on the ground to contain the violence.
“During an early morning exchange, the attackers opened fire on unsuspecting farmers, killing five individuals in the Gbagir area. They were rushed to the hospital but confirmed dead on arrival,” the statement read.“In Logo LGA, 12 more fatalities were recorded before security operatives could respond, bringing the total death toll to 17.”
Anene added that security personnel are currently engaging the retreating attackers as they flee toward the Taraba State border. She also urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information online, warning that it could escalate tensions.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the police’s resolve to pursue the assailants and urged the people of Sankera to cooperate fully with ongoing security operations.
Source : https://www.vanguardngr.com/
