No fewer than 270 people have been killed in a relentless wave of armed attacks across 10 Local Government Areas in Benue State between April 1 and June 1, 2025, Daily Trust reports.
The most recent attack, on June 1, claimed 43 lives in Gwer West and Apa LGAs, marking one of the deadliest incidents.
The Sankera axis (Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum) recorded the highest death toll with 83 fatalities in five days of attacks between April 17 and April 21.
Other major incidents include Otukpo LGA, where 16 people were killed in multiple attacks between April 4 and May 7.
Locals believe the actual figures may be higher due to unreported incidents in remote and hard-to-reach communities.
Several local government areas have witnessed sustained attacks during this period, including Gwer East, Guma, the Sankera axis (comprising Katsina-Ala, Logo, and Ukum), Otukpo, Gwer West, Kwande, Apa, Agatu, and Makurdi.
Following the latest attack, Gwer West LGA is following Sankera, having recorded over 60 deaths in eight days.
Women in Benue, led by the President of the Faith Women Fellowship Ministry International, Evangelist Lydia Idoko, have intensified prayers asking God for divine intervention in the country.
Similarly, 15 people, including women and children, have been reportedly killed following a violent communal clash between residents of Mbakine and Ojumole communities in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.
It was gathered that the conflict, which reportedly erupted from a minor altercation in a local market, escalated into full-blown violence, leaving over 200 houses burnt and property worth millions of naira destroyed.
A local said that the crisis started over disagreement about the purchase of orange between a Tiv native and an Igede person at the rural market which held Thursday into Friday.
Meanwhile, the President of the Igede Youth Council, Comrade Andyson Iji Egbodo, in a statement issued on Sunday, June 1, 2025, described the situation as “harrowing,” calling on Governor Hyacinth Alia to urgently intervene and prevent further bloodshed.
“What began as a disagreement between two individuals has turned into a catastrophic communal crisis, devastating communities that have coexisted peacefully for generations,” Egbodo said.
He called for unity among the people of Benue to overcome internal strife and strengthen the state against external threats, emphasising that peace remains essential for the success of Governor Alia’s administration.
The Igede Youth Council also urged the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to promptly provide relief materials to displaced residents, many of whom are currently homeless and in dire need.
Meanwhile, the new Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, had yet to react to respond to inquiries about the incident.
Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia has assured people of the state that insecurity would soon become a thing of the past.
He gave the assurance a few days ago at IBB Square in Makurdi during his second anniversary celebration while lamenting the security challenges staring the people of Benue in the face.
