How gunmen killed 69 in 1 week
Benue State witnessed a horrifying week of violence as gunmen killed at least 69 people in separate attacks across multiple communities. What should have been a solemn holy week for Christians instead descended into a week of mourning, as communities in at least three local government areas (LGAs) — Otukpo, Ukum, and Logo — were […]
Residents of Ityuluv community in Ukum LGA of Benue State, conveying bodies of the victim to the mortuary after attack by suspected herdsmen
Benue State witnessed a horrifying week of violence as gunmen killed at least 69 people in separate attacks across multiple communities.
What should have been a solemn holy week for Christians instead descended into a week of mourning, as communities in at least three local government areas (LGAs) — Otukpo, Ukum, and Logo — were ravaged by armed assailants.
Families expecting to commemorate the death and resurrection of Christ ended up burying their loved ones.
It was gathered that the deadliest attacks occurred on the Sankera axis (comprising Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala LGAs) and Otukpo LGA.
Residents from these communities woke up daily to the grim discovery of more bodies in nearby bushes.
The attacks on the Otobi-Akpa community in Otukpo LGA occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Meanwhile, violence erupted on the Sankera axis between Thursday and Friday.
Although the Otukpo incident came as a shock, residents in Ukum had reportedly raised alarms three days prior, alerting authorities about suspicious movements. Sadly, no preventive action was taken.
So far, 69 deaths have been confirmed — 56 from Ukum and Logo LGAs and 13 from Otukpo LGA. The violence has forced thousands to flee their homes in fear.
On Friday, the Benue State Police Command confirmed 17 deaths — 12 from Logo and five from Ukum. But the numbers later rose.
Timeline of recent attacks in Benue
On Tuesday, the first wave of attacks occurred in the Otobi-Akpa community in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA). A total of 13 bodies were reportedly recovered following the incident.
The following day, Wednesday, armed assailants launched simultaneous attacks on Emichi, Okpomaju, and Odudaje communities, also in Otukpo LGA.
While three people sustained injuries, no fatalities were recorded in these coordinated assaults.
Violence escalated on Thursday in Ukum LGA, where Tyuluv, Saror, Gbagir, and Mbawar communities came under attack.
The death toll from these areas rose to 29, as security and emergency personnel recovered bodies from the scenes.
On the same day (Thursday), in a separate attack on Ugondo community in Logo LGA, 27 people were confirmed killed, adding to the tragic toll within the states.
Armed men, in another attack on the Gbagir community in Ukum LGA in the early hours of Friday, ambushed worshippers on their way to commemorate Good Friday, killing ten of them.
56 bodies recovered, says Gov Alia
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, during a visit to affected communities on the Sankera axis on Saturday, confirmed the recovery of 56 bodies.
He noted that initial reports from the police were conservative and that further search efforts led to the recovery of 27 bodies in Logo and 28 in Ukum.
One family had already buried a victim before the governor’s visit. Notably, Katsina-Ala recorded no fatalities.
Alia said the attacks were coordinated assaults by armed invaders on Ugondo (Logo) and Tyuluv and Gbagir (Ukum), forcing residents into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Zaki-Biam and Ugba.
At the Ugba IDP camp, the governor appealed to the federal government for urgent intervention to end the senseless killings and displacement.
He sympathised with victims’ families and pledged to cover the cost of burials and medical bills for the injured.
Insecurity threatens Otukpo university’s relocation
In Otobi-Otukpo, which hosts the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), and the Federal Government Technical College, escalating insecurity now threatens education.
Acting Vice Chancellor of FUHSO, Professor Stephen Abah, led a delegation to the palace of the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Dr John Elaigwu, and visited the grieving Akpa community.
There, he met the district head, Pastor Wilson Ahola, and described the attack as “a heinous act of barbarity and man’s inhumanity to man.”
Prof. Abah expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy that struck FUHSO’s host community just as the institution prepared to relocate to its permanent site at Akwete-Akpa — a symbolic milestone now overshadowed by grief.
“What could justify the slaughter of innocent, peace-loving people in their own homes?” he asked.
“This community is home to our university, the Federal Government College, and the Otobi Dam. It deserves protection, not persecution,” he said.
He called on security agencies to identify and prosecute the attackers and appealed to the Nigerian Police Force to establish a permanent station in Otobi Akpa to safeguard critical federal institutions.
At the palace, Professor Abah conveyed the university’s condolences.
The Och’Idoma, visibly emotional, revealed that one of the victims was his pastor.
“This is not just about Otobi Akpa. This is about the soul of our people, our heritage, and our future. We must speak with one voice and demand justice,” the traditional ruler said.
The royal father emphasised the community’s strategic importance as the heart of Otukpo’s water supply and home to Nigeria’s first Federal University of Health Sciences.
The district head, Pastor Ahola, said, “Our hearts are bleeding. We are mourning, but we are not broken. We ask only for safety, peace, and justice.”
Angry youths boo governor in Ukum
During his visit to Ukum, Governor Alia faced an angry mob. Youths, visibly enraged, jeered at him, heckled his convoy, and demanded he leave.
Usha Jean, a resident of Ukum, told our correspondent that the youths were furious because they had issued warnings about suspicious activity days before the attacks.
“We raised the alarm at least five days before the incident. We even shared photos of the invaders on motorcycles entering our areas, yet nothing was done.
“Then, after the bloodshed on Thursday and Friday, the governor shows up on Saturday. For what exactly?” Jean asked.
Another resident from Zaki-Biam, speaking anonymously, criticised the government’s reactive stance and stressed the need for preventive measures.
Some protesters waved green leaves and sang derogatory songs to show their displeasure with the governor’s visit.
Governor urges vigilance
In a related development, Governor Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, urged residents to be on the alert.
“Governor Hyacinth Alia has directed all security formations in the state to stay vigilant. Residents, especially in rural areas, should report any suspicious movement immediately. This is an important update — take it seriously,” the statement read.
The aftermath of the attacks has left IDP camps overcrowded, with inadequate access to food, education, and emotional support.
Entire villages have been deserted, and farming — the main occupation in the region — is at a standstill.
Two-week curfew declared in Ukum
In response to the unrest, Ukum LGA authorities imposed a two-week curfew.
A statement signed by the council’s security secretary, Aku T. Enoch, said: “Following the protests that occurred today in Zaki Biam by hoodlums, the Executive Chairman of Ukum LGA, Hon. Jonathan Modi, has declared a curfew in Ukum Local Government Area starting today from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. All security agencies are directed to ensure strict compliance.”
Tinubu urged to replicate Zamfara military operations in Benue
Meanwhile, Retired Comptroller of Prisons, Chief Iorbee Ihagh, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deploy the same military operations used in Zamfara to Benue State.
He said the military’s recent actions in Zamfara, reportedly ordered by President Tinubu, significantly weakened the operational capabilities of bandits there and should be replicated in Benue.
“Benue has endured insecurity for over a decade. Rarely does a day pass without reports of killings in our rural areas.
“The military intervention in Zamfara is commendable, and we want the president to bring that success to Benue,” Ihagh said.
He added, “Benue is the food basket of the nation. If we cannot farm, the country will face hunger.
“We plead with the federal government to drive these bandits out of Benue and other affected states, so our people can return home and revive their agricultural livelihoods.”