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Herdsmen: Nine Feared Killed in Benue Attack as Governor Hyacinth Alia Orders Crackdown
No fewer than nine persons are feared dead following a fresh attack on Ankpali Edikwu ward in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, deepening concerns over rising insecurity in the region.
According to local sources, the incident occurred on Sunday evening when suspected armed herdsmen invaded the community, opening fire on residents.
A community leader, Mr. Bernard Ekah, told reporters via telephone that the attackers stormed the village shooting indiscriminately, killing at least nine people and forcing many residents to flee for safety.
“The attack was unprovoked. People are now living in fear, and many have been displaced,” Ekah said, adding that the same community had suffered a similar assault the previous year.
The Benue State Government has condemned the incident, although it has yet to officially confirm casualty figures.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tersoo Kula, Governor Hyacinth Alia described the attack as unacceptable and ordered an immediate security response.
He directed security agencies to launch coordinated operations to dismantle suspected armed herder camps located in forest areas across Apa, Otukpo, Gwer-West, and other affected parts of the state.
“The perpetrators have continued to exploit forested areas as operational bases to launch attacks and must be flushed out without delay,” the statement read in part.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property, assuring residents that decisive action would be taken to restore peace.
The latest violence comes amid a series of deadly incidents in Benue communities, including a recent attack in Mbalom, Gwer East Local Government Area, which also recorded multiple casualties.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command acknowledged ongoing security challenges in several local government areas, including Apa, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Ukum, Gwer East, and Guma.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, the command said it had intensified operations by deploying tactical teams to vulnerable areas and conducting clearance missions in hinterlands.
The police noted that these efforts have led to the recovery of arms and disruption of criminal activities, while urging residents to rely on verified information from official sources.
The command also issued a stern warning against cattle rustling and related activities, stating that individuals found aiding or benefiting from such crimes would be treated as collaborators in banditry.
Governor Alia extended condolences to families of the victims and called on residents to support security agencies with credible intelligence to aid ongoing operations.
Additional Report from NTA
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