Fresh attacks by suspected armed herdsmen have unsettled several communities in Benue State, with at least five people killed and one person abducted in separate incidents across Makurdi, Guma and Gwer West local government areas.
The attacks, which occurred within the last 72 hours, triggered fear and panic, forcing residents of affected communities to flee their homes.
In Gwer West LGA, a middle-aged man was reportedly killed while riding his motorcycle along the Agagbe–Abian road. An eyewitness said the victim’s identity had yet to be confirmed, adding that the body was later taken to a mortuary in Agagbe town.
“That route is one of the busiest in this area because it leads to Naka and other neighbouring communities. With this incident, people are now afraid to ply the road alone,” the source said.
In another incident, four women were reportedly killed in a border settlement between Benue and Nasarawa states, around Yandev Mbagwen in Guma LGA.
Residents said the women were attacked at a fish pond in the Mbayer/Yandev Council Ward area. A local source alleged that the victims were fishing and fetching water when suspected armed herdsmen invaded the area with cattle.
“They tried to chase the women away from the pond and later attacked and killed them in cold blood,” the source said, noting that the killings had heightened tension in the volatile border communities.
The source added that the incident has thrown the community into mourning, with residents now afraid to visit farms or fishing areas for fear of further attacks.
Meanwhile, in Makurdi LGA, a man identified as Gbawuan from Mbalagh Council Ward was allegedly abducted on Thursday along the Zongo–Rukubi road.
A local resident said the victim was seized near the Ndor signpost after the attackers emerged suddenly and forced him away.
Security operatives were said to have been alerted and a rescue operation launched, but as of the time of filing this report, the abducted man had not been rescued.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comment.
