Suspected herdsmen attack Benue communities, kill six, others missing
At least six individuals have been confirmed dead following recent attacks by suspected armed herdsmen in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. Several residents remain unaccounted for after the incidents, which struck communities including Tse-Nyaku and Biliji in Mbatian and Mbazum districts on Friday evening.
A local resident, Aondofa David, reported that the assaults began on Friday, and a security source indicated that multiple individuals are still missing. Another resident from Biliji, who requested anonymity, mentioned that the death toll could exceed the number of bodies currently recovered.
According to this resident, there is a belief that nine individuals may have been killed, with only six bodies retrieved as of the latest update. “The attackers are suspected armed herdsmen. They initially targeted villages in Mbazum Mbaterem before advancing toward Mbatian communities. While nine fatalities are suspected, we have only confirmed six dead bodies so far,” the resident stated.
Efforts to reach Ukum Local Government Area Chairman Jonathan Modi for an official comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to phone calls. However, an aide confirmed that Modi was preoccupied with supporting the victims of the attacks.
Meanwhile, Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, stated that the command had not yet received an official report regarding the incidents from security personnel on the ground in the affected communities.
