TheNewsGuru

Tag: Benue

  • SAD! 33 feared dead as alleged herdsmen attack Benue communities

    SAD! 33 feared dead as alleged herdsmen attack Benue communities

    Thirty-three persons have been feared killed by suspected herdsmen in coordinated attacks on Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State, leaving many residents missing as the affected communities begin headcounts on Monday morning.

    At about 7pm on Sunday, residents of Tse-Antswam in Naka town, the headquarters of Gwer West LGA came under attack by suspected herdsmen, leaving 17 people dead, as others fled for their lives.

    A community leader, Patrick Modoom, confirmed the casualty figures to Channels Television via telephone. “Seventeen corpses have so far been recovered at Tse-Antswam, a community by the LGEA primary school Naka, close to the Federal Government Dam project,” he said.

    Modoom added that “many people are still missing as headcount is being carried out, with many others displaced into the primary school where police personnel from the town and vigilantes are providing security”.

    “This attack happened not too far from the military checkpoint from Naka town but not a single response from the military when we raised alarm about the attack, leaving our people vulnerable while the attack lasted,” he added.

    Gwer West has 15 political council wards and 14 of those have been affected by herdsmen attacks, leaving Naka town as the safe place to run for the people but last night’s attack has compromised public safety at the local government headquarters.

    Meanwhile, 16 persons were killed in Edikwu and Ankpali communities from the neighboring Apa LGA, leaving many people killed.

    According to the lawmaker representing the Apa State Constituency at the Benue State House of Assembly, Abu Umoru, “16 persons have been confirmed killed but many are still missing”.

    Just last Saturday, 14 female traders who were returning from a Market in Enugu State, were kidnapped along Owukpa road in a Benue Link bus with their whereabouts unknown.

    The police in the state are yet to comment on the latest attacks.

  • Benue boils again as alleged herdsmen hijack Links bus, abduct all passengers

    Benue boils again as alleged herdsmen hijack Links bus, abduct all passengers

    Suspected armed herdsmen Friday evening hijacked a Benue Links vehicle and abducted several female passengers along the Owukpa–Orokam road in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

    The incident occurred around 7 p.m. near the Eyiupi community as the victims were traveling from Orba market in Enugu to Owukpa.

    The attackers, suspected to be armed herdsmen, reportedly ambushed the vehicle and took away the female passengers, both young and adult.

    One of the victims, who sustained severe gunshot wounds during the attack, was left behind due to excessive bleeding that could have compromised the abductors’ location.

    She is currently receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of St. Mary’s Hospital in Okpoga.

    Leader of the Owukpa vigilante group, Amos Agada, who confirmed the incident, said as of Sunday morning, the kidnappers had not contacted any of the victims’ families.

    He added that local security operatives were already making efforts to rescue the abducted women.

    Also, a community leader, Hon Adikwu Daniel, who raised the alarm in a statement, urged the Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Council and security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the victims and install a sustainable security presence along the dangerous route.

    “The area has long been a danger zone, and no serious security network is in place to stop or reduce these attacks,” he warned.

    The call for action has also been copied to the Ada Ogbadibo, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Orokam.

  • Gunmen kill policeman, 3 others in Benue

    Gunmen kill policeman, 3 others in Benue

    The police have confirmed the killing of its officer and three others in Aondona Village Gwer West Local Government of Benue state by suspected armed herdsmen.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene told newsmen on Monday in Makurdi that the attack took place in Aondona Village in Gwer West Local Government.

    Anene said the officer was killed while defending the people during the attack, adding that the Police responded on time when the incident was reported.

    “The police responded when the case of Aondoana was reported and 3 bodies were recovered and investigation is ongoing.

    “Note also that a police man died defending one of the villages just a few hours before this incident in Gwer-west Local Government,” she said.

    However, residents of the local government insisted that the attacks took place in four communities leaving over 30 persons killed, seven injured and two kidnapped.

    Most residents have fled their communities as the attacks have become a daily occurrence.

    Residents of Mablim, a community in Gwer East Local Government, which shared boundaries with Aondona village have also fled to the nearby town of Taraku for safety.

    According to local source, while over 15 persons were killed in Aondona community, seven killed in Ahume, five in Tyolaha, six in Orbiam community and two others kidnapped.

    The source further said that the armed herders, first attacked Aondona town on Saturday evening and continued on Monday at Ahume Village, among others.

  • Ex-PDP chair, 3 others ki!led in fresh herders’ attack in Benue

    Ex-PDP chair, 3 others ki!led in fresh herders’ attack in Benue

    A former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue, James Akase, and three others have been killed in a fresh attack on communities in Guma and Gwer West Local Government Areas of the State.

    Akase, who was killed Monday afternoon, was at a time the Chairman of PDP in his Tse-Defam, Mba’akov Vengav, Avihijime Council Ward of Gwer West LGA.

    According to a source in his area, until his death, he was displaced by the herders and was shot dead by the armed invaders “who took over his community, when he went back to his ancestral home in search of food to sustain his family.”

    Meanwhile, in a separate attack same day, Vanguard reports that three others were also killed in Guma LGA communities by the marauders, who attacked Tse Ikpe Ago, along Yogbo-Gyungu Aze road in Mbayer/Yandev Cuncil Ward, and Tse Kologa in Mbagune, Nyiev Council Ward.

    A Public Affairs Analyst in the state, Samuel Aondohemba, said the attacks were “coordinated and unprovoked.” He explained that the multiple attacks left many other persons in the communities severely injured, “while others are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals across the area.

    “These senseless killings are yet another painful reminder of the unending bloodshed our people in Benue state continue to endure.”

    Gwer West LGA Chairman, Victor Ormin confirmed the killing of the PDP Chairman in the area, saying: “The deceased went to the farm to get some food when he met his death.”

    “And another man who was kidnapped on Monday was released later in the night after his family paid the ransom demanded from them.”

    The Guma LGA Chairman, Maurice Orwough, as well as the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene could not be reached at press time.

     

  • Army raids bandits’ camps in Benue, destroys notorious kingpin’s hideout

    Army raids bandits’ camps in Benue, destroys notorious kingpin’s hideout

    Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with other security agencies, have launched a successful raid on bandits’ camps linked to a notorious leader in Konyo Gbise, near Akwaza in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

    According to a statement from the Nigerian Army, the operation conducted on May 18, 2025—was part of a broader campaign to eliminate criminal elements across the OPWS operational zone and to secure the state ahead of the farming season.

    “Troops of the 72 Special Forces Battalion, in close coordination with other security units, carried out a decisive raid on camps associated with a known bandit leader in the Konyo Gbise area,” the statement said.

    During the operation, troops recovered a cache of arms and equipment, including one submachine gun (SMG) with a magazine, a locally made rifle with a magazine, 7.62mm special ammunition, and a rifle butt and barrel. Other items seized include 9mm ammunition, three POS machines, two generators, a mobile phone, electrical cables, a painting machine, seven solar panels, and a half bag of suspected cannabis sativa (Indian hemp).

    Troops also discovered several framed portraits of bandit leaders, suggesting the hideout’s significance within the criminal network.

    Commander of JTF OPWS, Major-General Moses Gara, praised the troops for the successful mission and urged them to maintain relentless pressure on criminal elements undermining peace and security in the region.

    He also appealed to residents of Benue State to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing credible intelligence on the activities of criminals in their communities.

  • Benue governor, Alia rejects Reps committee invitation

    Benue governor, Alia rejects Reps committee invitation

    Gov. Hyacinth Alia will not honour the House of Representatives Committee invitation scheduled for Thursday, May 8.

    His Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, confirmed this to journalists on Wednesday in Makurdi.

    NAN reports that the House had summoned the Governors of Benue and Zamfara, alongside their Assembly leadership.

    Kula stated that the invitation is unconstitutional and the governor will not comply with it.

    He explained that Alia has filed a case at the Supreme Court challenging the lawmakers’ invitation.

    “Yesterday, the Benue Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the Reps Committee invitation.

    “They believe the invitation is based on ignorance and have decided not to attend. They will also challenge it in court,” he said.

    Kula added that the governor, independently, has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the invitation’s legality.

    He said, “Since the matter is in court, I will not speak further on it.”

    Kula also claimed that the civil society group behind the petition is faceless and unregistered.

    According to him, the address on the group’s letterhead is fake and lacks credibility.

    He said there is a coordinated campaign of misinformation and sponsored protests aimed at destabilising Benue.

    In recent weeks, he noted, there have been protests in Abuja allegedly representing Benue people’s concerns.

    “These protests aim to provoke a state of emergency in Benue by portraying it in a negative light,” he said.

    He claimed the organisers seek to undermine progress and return to a failed political order.

    “Their ultimate goal is to create chaos for selfish political gain,” Kula added.

    He accused the protest sponsors of trying to remove the governor through disruptive means.

    “They will not succeed. Benue people stand firmly with their governor,” he said.

    He assured the public that Benue remains peaceful and the government is functioning effectively.

    “Governor Alia is committed to fulfilling his mandate and addressing the state’s challenges,” he said.

  • Benue gov, Alia appoints 2Baba as technical adviser

    Benue gov, Alia appoints 2Baba as technical adviser

    Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has appointed music legend, Innocent Idibia popularly known as 2Baba as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.

    Alia announced the appointment at Government House, Makurdi, on Wednesday, when he received the music icon who paid him a sympathy visit.

    The governor described 2Baba as a worthy ambassador of the state while also acknowledging his exploits in the global music industry.

    Alia also appreciated 2Baba’s contributions to the vulnerable community through his humanitarian activities.

    He expressed optimism that 2Baba would bring his wealth of experience and global influence to bear on his new appointment.

    “Thank you for following up on the protocol. In our camps we have the support of the international community and there is an international standard. People abuse everything nowadays, and people politicise everything including insecurity for some reasons.

    “So when you want to come and visit the IDPs, it is a very welcome idea, but we need to know who goes in and out of the camps.

    “They have been traumatised enough so we need to protect them. Some members in the open space out there do not understand this. They feel it is an open house you just walk in and out, ” Alia said.

    The governor, who lamented the spate of killings in the state occasioned by the renewed gunmen attacks, called on the federal government and public spirited individual to collaborate with the state in addressing the insecurity.

    “What pains most is that these are unprovoked attacks and the aim of the killers, the bandits, terrorists, murderers is very simple, come kill, conquer and occupy.

    “That is extremely unacceptable by any standard. We are farmers and best at what we do. If you remove farming from us you have already rendered us helpless,” he said.

    Earlier, 2Baba said the visit was to condole with the state government over the killings in the state.

    He expressed readiness to lend his support where necessary and urged well-meaning Nigerians to collaborate with the governor to overcome the situation.

    Also speaking, Head of Communications, 2Baba Foundation, Enoch Ocheni, said as a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees, 2Baba, through his foundation would continue to fight for the rights of the displaced.

    Ocheni said the foundation would also support refugees, provide relief materials and healthcare services for orphanages as well as water and sanitation.

  • Gov. Alia reveals foreigners attacking Benue communities

    Gov. Alia reveals foreigners attacking Benue communities

    Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has revealed that Benue communities are being attacked by foreigners not Nigerians.

    Alia disclosed this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Tuesday.

    He said that the attackers’ Hausa accent is not Nigerian as testified by some indigenes of the state.

    The governor stated that about 40 people were killed during attacks on some communities in the state, saying many people had been displaced.

    Alia said, “Attackers of Benue communities don’t wear Nigerian looks and they don’t speak the normal Hausa we Nigerian speak or the Fulani Nigerians speak.

    “Some of our people who understand what they speak said that they are Malians but they are not Nigerians.

    “Initially our communities were attacked by traditional headers. We have less troubles with them now. We had a number of cases.

    “Now when the terrorists come, traditional herders inform us of their movements. They tell us that certain people are coming into our lands.”

    The governor added that Benue state was under siege, saying the attacks were coordinated.

    “Three dead bodies were recovered from the Katsina-Ala axis of the state, which means that the entire space out there is under siege.

    “We are under siege as a state. We are under attack, and those who are attacking us are land-grabbers. They displace our people.”

    Alia stated that the government is working with community leaders to secure communities, adding that his government is dopting community police to end killing in the state.

  • Benue under security siege, says Governor Alia

    Benue under security siege, says Governor Alia

    Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has declared that the state is currently facing a serious security crisis. Speaking to worshippers after Mass at the Chapel of Grace within the Government House, Makurdi, the governor urged residents to remain alert and report any suspicious activity to security agencies.

    “Security is a shared responsibility,” he emphasized, calling on citizens to be proactive in safeguarding their communities. “If you see something, say something. Your vigilance can help security personnel respond swiftly and repel these invaders.”

    Governor Alia reiterated his earlier appeal for full federal support to help combat the growing wave of attacks in the state. He described the situation as a siege, stating that those behind the violence have a clear objective: to occupy Benue land.

    “We are under siege—our state is being attacked. These aggressors have a face, a purpose, and a plan. They pull people out of their homes and kill them just to take over our land. This is totally unacceptable,” he declared.

    The governor also issued a stern warning to political actors attempting to exploit the crisis for personal gain. “This is not the time for politics. I urge politicians to stay away from activities that fuel this violence. We are putting mechanisms in place to identify and expose anyone involved in the destruction of our state,” he said.

    Condemning all forms of criminal activity, Alia insisted that crime will not be tolerated in Benue or anywhere else. “A terrorist is a terrorist—regardless of ethnicity or religion. Crime is crime, plain and simple. Anyone who engages in it should have no place among the living,” he stated firmly.

    Despite the challenges, the governor urged the people of Benue not to lose hope. He reassured them of his administration’s commitment to restoring peace across the state.

    Reflecting on the significance of Easter, Alia highlighted the death and resurrection of Christ as the ultimate example of sacrifice. He called on citizens to pray for the souls of those recently killed, particularly the innocent victims in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas, who lost their lives during the Holy Week.

  • Gov. Alia confirms 56 bodies recovered after Easter attacks

    Gov. Alia confirms 56 bodies recovered after Easter attacks

    Gov Hyacinth Alia of Benue said 56 bodies have been recovered in Ugondo, Logo and Tyuluv, Gbagir in Ukum LGAs following the coordinated attacks on the communities by suspected armed herdsmen.

    Alia disclosed this when he visited Logo and Ukum LGAs on Saturday for an on-the spot assessment of the area after attacks on Friday night.

    Speaking to journalists after the inspection, the Governor confirmed that so far 56 corpses have been recovered in Logo and Ukum after the attacks.

    The governor said there was possibility of the figure increasing in Ukum because  more search is still ongoing.

    He regretted that his people were strategically attacked at the beginning of the farming season to hinder them from farming.

    Alia said urgent action must be taken to address the ugly development.

    “Early hours of today, we understood that more bodies were being picked up in Logo LGA resulting to 27 corpses. So we lost 27 lives in Logo LGA.

    “And then many more were picked up in some axis in Ukum and those for now are 29. Many more are surely expected because as we went there they were asking for some protection to get back to see how they can retrieve some bodies. So the numbers might even go up.

    “So far we are talking about 56 lives lost in just one night. This is quite devastating.

    “The FG is supporting very enormous, the security team have been working seriously non stop. But for this to still happen, something drastic, something strategic has to come to play.

    “How can you explain that two months ago we came to this town and people were quite settled and overnight it is calculated, it is planned, targeted attacks.

    “I’m calling on the FG to support us, to come to our aide and promptly too. We simply need the support and help of the FG immediately.”he said

    Alia further commended the security agencies for their sacrifices to ensure that Benue has peace, adding that there was every need for more reinforcements.

    The Governor sympathised with the families that lost their loved ones as a result of the attacks, and promised to take care of their burial and medical bills of those in the hospital.

    Also, the member, representing Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo, Prince Solomon Wombo said even though the military were in the constituency for 12 years there were still attacks and killings.

    Wombo lamented the insecurity situation in the area and appealed to the FG to establish a military barrack in the area to protect his constituents from armed herdsmen and bandits.

    “What borders me again is that we have soldiers  in this axis for 12 years and the attacks have not abated at any point in time.”

    Chairman, Logo Local Government Council, Mr Clement Ungwachikar and Mue Ter Ugondo, Chief Peter Iorhuna  thanked the Governor for the swift response in coming to identify with them over the attacks.

    The governor was accompanied by the heads of security agencies in the state, including the commissioner of Police, DSS, NSCDC, Operation Whirl Stroke, Home Land Security, Civil Protection Guards among others.

    The affected communities were deserted with armed Police personnel seen patrolling in the LGAs.

    NAN reports that those who fled the areas are now taken refuge in Zaki-Biam and Ugba IDP camps.