33 Feared Dead as Suspected Herdsmen Launch Coordinated Attacks on Benue Communities
At least 33 people have been reportedly killed in fresh attacks by suspected armed herdsmen in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas of Benue State, sparking renewed fears over the escalating violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
The attacks, which occurred late Sunday evening, left multiple communities devastated, with dozens of residents still unaccounted for as of Monday morning. The incident comes amid growing criticism over the failure of security forces to contain ongoing violence in the region.
Coordinated Assault Leaves Two LGAs in Mourning
According to local sources, 16 persons were killed in Edikwu and Ankpali communities of Apa LGA, while another 17 people lost their lives in Tse-Antswam, a community near Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West LGA.
Eyewitnesses say the attack on Tse-Antswam occurred around 7 p.m. on Sunday. Heavily armed assailants reportedly stormed the area from the Naka-Makurdi Road, opening fire indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes.
One survivor, Terna Abeva, described hearing gunfire around 7:30 p.m. near the Naka Earth Dam, prompting him to grab his wife and two children before escaping into the bush. Another eyewitness, Igbabee Akange, confirmed similar accounts, stating the attackers struck from the same road axis and shot multiple people before disappearing into the night.
Security Lapses and Rising Public Outrage
A local community leader, Patrick Modoom, confirmed the death toll in a phone interview broadcast on national television, adding that many residents remain missing and displaced. He noted that the attacks occurred “not too far from a military checkpoint,” yet no immediate response came from stationed troops, raising serious concerns over the role of security agencies in the area.
“The people raised alarms, but there was no military intervention. We feel abandoned,” Modoom said, highlighting the vulnerability of the communities despite the presence of both police and military forces.
In contrast, the Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Ormin Victor, reported 16 deaths, noting that the assailants launched the attack from the vicinity of a rice mill near the town.
Calls for Security Reform Intensify
In the wake of the violence, the Youths Association of Kula, Tse-Orbiam, and Agagbe Axis released a statement demanding the immediate withdrawal of military forces from Gwer West, citing continued killings despite their presence.
“We’ve lost faith in the soldiers,” said M. T. Ugbede, a youth leader. “Our communities need a homegrown, community-based security outfit to defend lives, because innocent villagers are being slaughtered while the military looks the other way.”
Police Response and Deployment
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident through the Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Edeme, who disclosed that the Commissioner of Police had ordered the deployment of a tactical unit to restore calm in the affected areas.
“Security has been reinforced,” DSP Edeme said, urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations.
Background and Broader Implications
Benue State, often described as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” has become a recurring flashpoint for violent clashes between farmers and suspected armed herders, with thousands of lives lost and properties destroyed over the past decade.
Security experts and civil society groups have repeatedly called for a structural overhaul of Nigeria’s rural security architecture, warning that continued neglect could lead to deeper instability.
As displaced persons take shelter in makeshift camps and schools, residents are left wondering how long they must endure such carnage without effective protection.
Reference
33 Feared Dead as Suspected Herdsmen Launch Coordinated Attacks on Benue Communities