Benue State is in shock after a deadly overnight attack claimed at least 58 lives, marking one of the deadliest assaults in Nigeria this year.
Gunmen stormed villages in Ukum Local Government Area, leaving a trail of destruction and prompting renewed calls for urgent federal intervention and stronger security measures in the region.
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Benue State has once again plunged into mourning following a brutal attack that left at least 58 people dead in one of the bloodiest incidents this year. The fresh wave of violence, which struck several communities across the state, has shocked the nation and reignited urgent calls for stronger security intervention in the North-Central region.
According to local reports, heavily armed assailants launched coordinated attacks late Sunday night into the early hours of Monday across villages in the Ukum Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses recount terrifying scenes as gunmen invaded homes, shooting indiscriminately and setting properties ablaze. The victims included men, women, and children, with some found in the bush after attempting to flee the carnage.
One local resident, who narrowly escaped the assault, described the attack as “hell on earth.” “They came in large numbers, armed with AK-47s and machetes. They opened fire on anyone they saw. People were running in all directions. I lost two cousins,” he said.
Authorities in Benue have confirmed the tragic incident. The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the casualty figure, stating that security operatives have been deployed to the area to restore peace and investigate the perpetrators. However, she acknowledged that the terrain and remoteness of the affected villages posed significant challenges for an immediate response.
Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attack in the strongest terms, describing it as “barbaric and unacceptable.” He pledged that his administration would not rest until those behind the killings are brought to justice. “This is another dark day in the history of our beloved state. The blood of our people cries out for justice, and we will not allow these criminals to go unpunished,” he said in a statement.
The governor also reiterated his call for the federal government to step up its efforts in tackling the worsening insecurity in Benue and the entire Middle Belt. He appealed for more deployment of security forces, as well as strategic intelligence gathering to forestall future attacks.
This latest massacre follows a troubling pattern of violence that has plagued Benue in recent years, often attributed to clashes between local farming communities and suspected armed herdsmen or criminal militias. Human rights advocates have described the persistent killings as a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of residents displaced and entire communities destroyed.
Civil society groups and traditional rulers have urged both state and federal authorities to address the root causes of the violence, including land disputes, poverty, and the proliferation of illegal arms. They also criticized the slow response from security agencies, alleging that the government has failed to adequately protect the lives of rural dwellers.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other humanitarian agencies are reportedly mobilizing to provide relief for survivors and displaced persons. Emergency shelters are being arranged in neighboring communities for those who fled their homes during the attack.
As of Tuesday morning, a mass burial was being prepared for several of the victims, while grieving families struggled to come to terms with the magnitude of their loss.
With the 58 deaths now added to a growing toll of victims in Benue, there is growing concern over the future stability of the state. Residents are calling for more than words they are demanding action.
