Bloody Weekend in Benue as Herdsmen Attacks, Communal Clash Leave 61 Dead, Over 200 Homes Destroyed

A wave of violence swept through Benue State over the weekend, leaving at least 61 people dead and hundreds displaced following coordinated attacks by armed herdsmen and a deadly communal conflict. The incidents occurred across three local government areas—Apa, Gwer West, and Gwer East—between Sunday afternoon and late evening.

In Apa Local Government Area, armed herders launched an attack on the Ijaha Ibele Ochekwu community on Sunday, killing two and injuring several others. Later that evening, around 5 p.m., the attackers returned with full force, invading Edikwu Ankpali and opening fire on fleeing residents, including women and children. Eyewitnesses reported the assault was entirely unprovoked. As of Monday morning, 28 bodies had been recovered from the area, with many victims receiving treatment for gunshot wounds and other injuries.

On the same evening, the violence extended to Tse Antswam in Naka, the administrative center of Gwer West Local Government Area. The community, which shelters thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), was thrown into chaos when gunmen attacked around 7 p.m., firing indiscriminately. The attack, which lasted nearly two hours, resulted in at least 18 confirmed deaths, while several others remain missing or critically injured. According to Chief Daniel Abomtse, Chairman of the Gwer West Traditional Council, the attackers employed guerrilla-style tactics and targeted the community just opposite a military checkpoint on the Naka-Makurdi road. Some residents, in a desperate bid to escape, fled into surrounding forests or jumped into wells.

Meanwhile, Gwer East Local Government Area witnessed a separate tragedy, as a communal clash between the Tiv and Igede communities of Mbakine and Ojumole spiraled out of control. What began as a minor argument between two young men at a local market on Friday escalated into a full-blown conflict by Saturday, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals and the destruction of over 200 homes in Ojumole. Eyewitnesses expressed disbelief, noting that the two communities had coexisted peacefully for over a century.

Andyson Egbodo, leader of the Igede youth group, condemned the violence and emphasized that efforts were underway to de-escalate tensions. Local government officials, including the council chairman, a state assembly member, and a federal lawmaker, have intervened to initiate peace talks. A reconciliation meeting has been scheduled at Aliade, the council headquarters.

The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incidents. Police Public Relations Officer, SP Udeme Edet, stated that tactical teams had been deployed to the affected areas and were working to stabilize the situation. Authorities have promised to provide further updates as investigations continue.