Residents of several villages in Katsina-Ala and Logo local government areas of Benue State fled their homes yesterday after gunmen carried out a deadly raid, killing many people.
Sources within the affected communities reported that at least 30 individuals were killed, with many others injured.
The villages, which were attacked on Sunday and during the early hours of Monday, have faced repeated assaults by local militias in the past.
Locals stated that 10 bodies were recovered from various villages in Katsina-Ala, while 20 fatalities were reported in the Logo area, bringing the total number of deaths to 30.
Some residents told media that they had abandoned their homes and were hiding in the surrounding bushes.
One resident, identifying himself only as David, said: “As we speak, I am hiding in the bush with other villagers. Many people have been killed in my Mbatulya council ward of Katsina-Ala LGA. In my village, they killed three people. Most of the villagers have fled to the city.”
Another resident, Francis, said: “Everyone is running for safety in the affected areas. I can confirm that there is still widespread killing ongoing in some villages of Katsina-Ala LGA.”
Similarly, a local cleric, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: *”The residents here are living in constant fear. The attackers kill innocent people, destroy property, and inflict severe injuries.
“We couldn’t sleep in our homes on Sunday night. Many people are in hospital now, while others are fleeing for their lives. The situation is unbearable.”
Local Government Chairman Confirms Casualties
The Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, Justine Shaku, confirmed the attacks during a telephone conversation, stating that many people were killed and valuable property destroyed.
“Yes, another attack occurred this morning (Monday) around 2 am in Adabo village and Tse Gwebe settlement, Utange Council Ward of Shitile, Katsina-Ala LGA. Reports indicate that six bodies have been recovered so far, though the casualties may be higher.”
He added: “Armed herders invaded two council wards, killing three people in Mbatulya and three in Utange. Many others were injured, and farmlands were destroyed. The affected communities are in complete disarray.”
Shaku noted that while progress had been made in reducing attacks from local militias, the issue of armed invasions has worsened the situation.
Logo Area Suffers Heavy Casualties
In Logo, a community leader, Chief Joseph Anawah, described the attack on Azege settlement in Tombo Council Ward on Sunday morning as devastating.
“At least 20 people were killed during an attack by over 300 heavily armed men, suspected to be herders. Security operatives on the ground were outnumbered and overwhelmed by the attackers’ sophisticated weapons. Only the intervention of a military jet forced the invaders to retreat. More bodies may still be found,” he said.
Another resident of Logo, speaking anonymously, said the attack on Ayilamo community had left 14 bodies recovered initially, with more found in nearby bushes later.
The Chairman of Logo LGA, Clement Kav, alleged that the attackers were claiming ownership of the Tombo area.
“Seventeen people were killed, and 37 injured in the attack. However, security has since been reinforced, and peace has been restored,” he stated.
Police and State Government Respond
Benue State Police spokesperson Catherine Anene said five bodies had been recovered from the Logo area, adding that investigations were ongoing.
“I am aware of the incident in Logo but not Katsina-Ala. Five corpses have been recovered, and officers have been deployed to the area. Until investigations are concluded, I cannot comment further,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, Joseph Har, assured that the state’s homeland security operatives were actively addressing the insecurity in the region.
Efforts to contact the Director-General of the Bureau of Homeland Security, Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan (retired), were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
