Gov Alia Confirms 20 Deaths From Recent Herders’ Attacks In Benue Communities

The number of fatalities from the herdsmen assault on the Ukum and Logo local government areas in Benue State has increased to 20, as security personnel and local residents search the impacted communities for survivors.

Governor Hyacinth Alia provided details regarding the casualty count during a phone interview with a correspondent from Channels Television. He reported that five bodies were initially recovered in Gbagir and taken to the morgue, but later, civilians searching for their missing relatives found two additional bodies. He mentioned that a family in Gbagir, wishing to conduct an immediate burial for their deceased relative, received authorization letters from security forces to carry out brief burial rites.

The governor further stated that the police, responding to simultaneous attacks in Logo, discovered 12 bodies, which were also sent to a mortuary, raising the total death toll to 20 individuals who lost their lives in the coordinated assault by suspected herdsmen in Sankera.

The state government reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens, urging residents of Benue to provide information to security agencies to effectively address issues of insecurity. This announcement follows a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State, Sewuese Anene, who reported on Friday that authorities had received intelligence about a significant number of suspected militia invading the Sankera region. The police intervened in Gbagir, where they found that five more individuals had been killed.

As of Friday, the estimated total of fatalities stood at 17. These incidents have led to rampant speculation on social media, with claims that suspected herdsmen invaded the area and killed approximately 100 people. However, the police have urged caution regarding unverified rumors when discussing casualty figures.

The police statement reads, “Information was received that a large number of suspected militia had invaded the Sankera axis of Benue state with the intention to attack communities around Gbagir, Ukum Local Government Area.  Upon receipt of this report, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command, CP. Steve H. Yabanet FCID, psc (+) ordered tactical teams to move to the area and join forces with police officers on ground and other security agencies to forestall the attack.

“Following this order, a team of officers moved to the area and engaged them. While the attackers were being repelled in the early hours of today, they shot sporadically at unsuspecting farmers as they came across them.  Five (5) persons were recovered at the Gbagir area and taken to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead.

“Unfortunately, an unsuspected simultaneous attack was carried out in Logo, where twelve (12) persons were killed before the arrival of the police, making a total of seventeen persons. However, Security agencies within the Sankera axis are still engaging the bandits as they retreat back to the forest around the Taraba axis.

“The CP warns social media users who are reporting unconfirmed reports and inciting the general public to desist from such actions that are capable of creating unnecessary tension in the state. He reiterates his commitment to fight the attackers and encourages the good people of Sankera to continue to cooperate with the police as the operation is ongoing.”

Suspected herdsmen have intensified their violent assaults, impacting at least three communities within the Otukpo Local Government Area of the state. The affected areas—Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju—experienced these attacks, which resulted in the deaths of five individuals in February. These communities were targeted in simultaneous assaults just one day following the murder of 11 people in the Otobi Community, also located in Otukpo LGA.

In a statement to the press after the Good Friday Mass at Holy Ghost Parish in Makurdi, the state capital, Governor Alia denounced the attacks and warned communities against taking matters into their own hands. He reassured residents that the state government, in partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser, is formulating a strategic plan aimed at halting the killings perpetrated by suspected invaders. The governor encouraged residents to stay alert and to share timely information with security forces.