The death toll from suspected herdsmen attacks in Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State has risen to 20, as security forces and locals continue searching for survivors. Governor Hyacinth Alia, in a phone conversation, provided updated casualty figures, noting that five bodies were initially recovered in Gbagir and taken to a morgue. Civilians later found two additional bodies, and a family in Gbagir, granted security cover, buried a relative promptly. In Logo, police recovered 12 bodies during simultaneous attacks, bringing the total to 20 deaths in the coordinated assault in Sankera.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging residents to share information with security agencies to combat insecurity swiftly. The attacks follow a Friday statement by Benue State Police Public Relations Officer Sewuese Anene, who reported that suspected militia invaded the Sankera axis. Police, led by Commissioner Steve H. Yabanet, engaged the attackers in Gbagir, where five people were killed. A concurrent attack in Logo claimed 12 lives, totaling 17 deaths by Friday, before the figure rose to 20.
Social media rumors claiming up to 100 deaths have prompted police warnings against spreading unverified reports. Anene detailed the police response, stating, “Upon reports of a militia invasion in Sankera, tactical teams were deployed to repel the attackers. The bandits shot farmers sporadically, killing five in Gbagir and 12 in Logo before police intervention. Security forces are still pursuing the retreating bandits toward the Taraba forest.” The police urged the public to avoid inciting panic and pledged ongoing operations with community cooperation.
The violence follows earlier attacks in Otukpo Local Government Area, where Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju communities lost five lives in February, a day after 11 people were killed in Otobi. Speaking to journalists after Good Friday Mass at Holy Ghost Parish in Makurdi, Governor Alia condemned the attacks, warning against vigilante justice. He assured residents that the state, in partnership with the National Security Adviser’s office, is crafting a strategic plan to halt the killings and called for vigilance and timely reporting to security agencies.
