Benue State has once again been plunged into grief following a wave of deadly attacks that left at least 42 people dead, including a mobile police officer, and several others injured across four communities in Gwer West Local Government Area.
The killings, carried out between Saturday and Sunday, were allegedly perpetrated by armed herders. Among those caught in the violence was Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongu, a Catholic priest who was shot on the Makurdi-Naka road.
Governor Hyacinth Alia did not mince words in his reaction. In a statement issued on Monday, May 26, by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, the governor condemned what he described as “barbaric attacks” in the strongest terms.
“These barbaric criminals masquerading as herders, whose actions reveal a blatant disregard for human life and the sanctity of our communities; their cowardice in attacking innocent individuals, especially our innocent natives, will not be tolerated,” Alia said.
He also expressed outrage that the attacks took place just metres away from a military checkpoint, saying the violence underscored the lawlessness that has taken over the Makurdi-Naka road.
Residents of the affected communities, Tse-Ubiam, Tyolaha, Ahume, and Aondona, recounted scenes of horror. Agatha, a local woman, said Sunday’s assault in Ahume and Aondona alone claimed over 30 lives.
“The attacks happened between 4 pm and 5 pm. Among the deaths were children of less than two years old,” she told journalists.
Another resident, Terseer, said 12 people were killed during Saturday’s assault on Tyolaha and Tse-Ubiam.
“Five people were killed at Tyolaha and seven at Tse-Ubiam,” he said, adding that the attacks occurred disturbingly close to a military base.
By early Monday, search teams set up by community stakeholders had recovered 42 bodies.
Victor Omnin, Chairman of Gwer West LGA, described the situation as “genocide.” He said the violence has become so common that residents are now living in fear every day.
“Yes, it happened and is still happening. It’s a pathetic situation,” Omnin said. “As we speak, we are still recovering corpses.
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“I buried five people yesterday. Five others were taken to the mortuary on Saturday. Now we are talking about 40 or more people. This is genocide.”
He voiced his frustration over the military’s inability to act, despite their proximity to the scenes of the attacks.
“The soldiers told me they don’t have the mandate to act unless fired upon,” he said. “They even said not even the governor has the power to order them, only the President does. That’s the reality we’re living with.”
Omnin also confirmed the death of a mobile police officer, Magaji, during Sunday’s raid. “This mobile man had dedicated his whole life to service.
“He was always at that junction on the Naka road. They said he ran out of ammunition and was shouting for people to flee. Sadly, he was killed. This is genocide.”
Benue police spokesperson, CSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the attack in Aondona and said three bodies had been recovered there.
She also confirmed that a police officer had died while defending one of the villages shortly before the incident in Gwer West.
“The police responded when the case of Aondona was reported, and three bodies were recovered. Investigation is ongoing,” she said.
“Also, a policeman died defending one of the villages just a few hours before this incident in Gwer-West Local Government Area.”
As of press time, the military had not responded to the allegations made by the council chairman.
The latest tragedy deepens the security crisis in Benue, where attacks by suspected herders have become a grim routine.
Gwer West, according to Omnin, remains the worst-hit, with all 15 wards in the council suffering repeated invasions, even with a 6:30 pm curfew in place.