7 killed in Benue communities

Seven people were reportedly killed in the early hours of Monday by armed men in separate communities across two local government areas of Benue State. Our correspondent gathered that while two of the victims were killed around 7 am along the Adoka-Naka-Makurdi Road in Gwer West LGA, five others were murdered in their homes around […]

Seven people were reportedly killed in the early hours of Monday by armed men in separate communities across two local government areas of Benue State.

Our correspondent gathered that while two of the victims were killed around 7 am along the Adoka-Naka-Makurdi Road in Gwer West LGA, five others were murdered in their homes around 1 am in Buruku LGA.

Locals said the attackers struck the Mbakundu community in Mbaya Council Ward of Buruku LGA at exactly midnight, shooting indiscriminately and killing residents.

A witness, simply identified as Kaase, said five bodies, including that of a minor, were recovered at dawn, while a search continued for those still missing.

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“As we speak, five bodies, including a little child, have been found. We are still searching for others who went missing during the attack,” he said.

Chairman of Buruku LGA, Raymond Aondoakura, confirmed the incident to our correspondent via text message.

He said, “Yes, they killed four young men and one little girl. So far, five bodies have been discovered and deposited in the mortuary.”

Similarly, the Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Ormin, told journalists in Makurdi by phone that two people were killed in his locality on Monday morning.

Ormin added that due to the persistent insecurity, he had directed that movement into and out of Gwer West LGA should not go beyond 6:30 pm daily.

“This directive takes immediate effect. People coming into Gwer West LGA and those going out must do so within the stipulated time of 6:30 pm. This restriction will be reviewed as the security situation improves,” he said.

The latest killings bring the total number of people killed by armed attacks in Benue State between April 1 and May 12, 2025, to 166 over 41 days.

Meanwhile, the state’s Director General of Homeland Security, Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan (retd), said he had just received news of the incident and was yet to obtain full details.

Police spokesperson for Benue Command, CSP Catherine Anene, had yet to respond to calls or messages at the time of filing this report.