Armed men suspected to be marauding Fulani herders from outside the country have massacred at least 30 people in coordinated attack on Kastina-Ala and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State.
The assaults, which occurred between Sunday morning and the early hours of Monday, left residents of the affected rural settlements in shock and mourning.
Daily Trust quoted locals as saying that 10 bodies were recovered in Kastina-Ala, while 20 were found in the Logo area, bringing the total death toll to 30.
Chief Joseph Anawah, a community leader in Logo, told the newspaper that armed herders numbering over 300 invaded Azege and its surrounding areas in Tombo Council Ward early on Sunday morning.
“The attackers, suspected to be a militia from outside Nigeria, struck around 7 am. Despite the presence of security operatives, their sheer numbers and sophisticated weapons rendered resistance futile until a military jet arrived, forcing them to retreat,” he recounted.
Over 20 bodies were reportedly discovered, with efforts to locate missing persons continuing.
In Kastina-Ala, Council Chairman Justine Shaku disclosed that herders armed with heavy weaponry launched an assault on Adabo village and Tse Gwebe settlement in the Utange Council Ward in the early hours of Monday.
He said many people were killed, properties destroyed, and household items looted, saying that the exact number of casualties was yet to be confirmed, but that the devastation was significant.
Shaku described the state as being under severe threat from armed herders and pledged to provide more details as investigations progressed.
Clement Kav, the Council Chairman of Logo LGA, accused the attackers of claiming ownership of the Tombo area, alleging that they justified their actions by asserting that the land belonged to them.
He disclosed that the assault left 17 people dead and 37 others injured, adding that the state governor had since mobilised additional security personnel to the area, and that peace had been restored.
He said there were currently no reports of missing persons.
Police Public Relations Officer Catherine Anene confirmed the attacks but reported a lower casualty figure, stating, “The attack in Logo has been confirmed. Five bodies were recovered.”
