One killed, several missing as herdsmen attack Benue communities

Tensions has escalated in Benue State following fresh attacks by suspected armed herdsmen in Guma Local Government Area.

The renewed violence has left one person confirmed dead and several others feared missing, sparking widespread fear and concern among residents.

According to local sources, the incident occurred in Tsekar village, a rural community in the Ukohol area of the Nyiev Council Ward.

The attackers were said to have stormed the village unexpectedly, leading to chaos and panic among locals.

During the invasion, a resident identified as Mr. Tyough William was killed. His death has added to the growing list of casualties linked to ongoing clashes between herders and farming communities in the region.

In a separate but related incident, another group of herdsmen reportedly laid an ambush for Tiv travelers along the Yogbo-Gungu Aze road.

The victims were on their way from Yogbo to Ortese, a neighboring community, when the attack occurred.

Eyewitnesses and family members of the victims reported that several people managed to escape, but one traveler, identified as Mr. Udam Dogo, has not been seen or heard from since.

Concerns over Mr. Dogo’s safety intensified after his family attempted to reach him by phone, only for an unfamiliar voice, believed to be that of one of the attackers, to answer the call. This development has raised fears that he may have been abducted or harmed.

At the time of filing this report, the total number of people missing or injured had not been officially confirmed by authorities.

The community remains on edge, with many families still searching for their loved ones and calling for immediate intervention from security agencies.

When contacted for comment, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police Udeme Edet, stated that she had not yet received any formal report of the incident and could not confirm the details at that time.

The latest attack is one in a series of violent confrontations between armed herdsmen and farming communities in Benue State, a region that has long suffered from conflict over land use and grazing rights.

Local leaders and civil society groups continue to call on both the federal and state governments to take stronger action to protect vulnerable communities and bring an end to the persistent violence.

As investigations continue and residents await updates from security forces, there is growing concern over the safety of rural communities and the urgent need for sustainable peace-building efforts in the region.