At least 42 people, including a mobile police officer, have been killed and a Catholic priest injured in fresh attacks by suspected armed herders in Benue State, drawing strong condemnation from Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The attacks, which occurred between Saturday and Sunday in Tse-Ubiam, Tyolaha, Ahume, and Aondona communities of Gwer West Local Government Area, have been described by the governor as barbaric and unacceptable. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, Alia expressed outrage and sorrow, saying the killings—some of which happened near a military checkpoint—highlight the unchecked violence plaguing the region.
“These savage acts, carried out just metres from a military post, reflect a deepening crisis of lawlessness along the Makurdi-Naka road,” the governor said. He condemned the perpetrators as criminals masquerading as herders, accusing them of showing total disregard for human life and community peace.
He also condemned the shooting of Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongu along the same road on Saturday and reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to safeguarding lives across the state.
Eyewitnesses described the attacks as coordinated and ruthless. One resident, Agatha, said over 10 people were killed in Ahume and 20 in Aondona on Sunday between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., including toddlers. Another local, Terseer, reported that the Saturday assaults on Tyolaha and Tse-Ubiam left 12 dead, with the violence occurring alarmingly close to a military base.
By early Monday, a joint local search-and-rescue team had recovered 42 bodies. Aondona, one of the hardest-hit communities, is home to Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, and Mrs. Eunice Ortom, wife of the immediate past governor.
Reacting to the massacre, the Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Mr. Victor Omnin, emotionally described it as “genocide,” lamenting the continued recovery of corpses and the military’s inaction due to lack of orders from higher authorities. He confirmed that a mobile police officer, Magaji, was killed while defending residents.
“This officer gave his all, warning people to flee even after running out of ammunition,” Omnin said. “What’s happening in Gwer West is genocide, and it’s unacceptable.”
Police spokesperson CSP Catherine Anene confirmed the attack at Aondona, noting that officers recovered three bodies and that investigations are ongoing. She also confirmed the death of a police officer who had been defending one of the communities.
The Nigerian military has yet to comment on the allegations of inaction, as attempts to reach Operation Whirl Stroke’s spokesperson, Captain Lawal Osabo, were unsuccessful.
The renewed violence highlights the worsening security situation in Benue, especially in Gwer West LGA, where all 15 council wards have experienced repeated herders’ invasions despite the imposition of a 6:30 p.m. curfew.
