Benue State witnessed a weekend of bloodshed as over 60 lives were lost in separate incidents of herdsmen attacks and a communal clash across Apa, Gwer West, and Gwer East Local Government Areas.
The attacks, described as the worst in recent months, have left communities in mourning, with dozens injured, many displaced, and hundreds of homes destroyed.
Apa, Gwer West Under Siege
In Apa LGA, armed herdsmen invaded Ijaha Ibele Ochekwu on Sunday afternoon, killing two people and injuring several others. The violence escalated by 5 p.m., as the assailants returned to launch a full-scale attack on Edikwu Ankpali community, killing at least 28 people, including women and children.
“The attack was unprovoked. People thought the worst was over, only for the herders to return in the evening and begin slaughtering people,” said a local eyewitness.
Simultaneously, Tse Antswam community in Naka, Gwer West, was attacked around 7 p.m. on Sunday. Residents described a two-hour onslaught, leaving 18 people dead and several others missing or wounded. The community is home to thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), adding to the scale of the humanitarian crisis.
Chief Daniel Abomtse, Chairman of the Gwer West Traditional Council, said:
“Some people ran into bushes, some into wells, just to escape the herders. Many were butchered so badly, I doubt they’ll survive. The attack happened directly opposite a military checkpoint.”
Communal Clash Claims 15 in Gwer East
In Gwer East LGA, a communal clash between the Igede and Tiv communities of Mbakine and Ojumole left 15 dead and over 200 houses burnt.
The conflict reportedly started from a minor disagreement between two youths at a market on Friday, escalating into a full-blown war by the weekend.
“They’ve lived together peacefully for over 100 years. We’re shocked this happened,” said Igede Youth Leader, Andyson Egbodo.
Egbodo praised the swift intervention of local authorities, including the council chairman and lawmakers, for initiating peace talks at the Aliade council headquarters.
Police Response
Confirming the incidents, Benue Police PRO, SP Udeme Edet, said:
“Tactical teams have been deployed and are already on ground. We are on top of the situation and will provide further updates soon.”
This wave of violence underscores the fragile security situation in Nigeria’s North-Central region, raising concerns about the safety of rural communities ahead of the rainy season when farming activities intensify.
