Benue: 17 killed, others injured in coordinated attacks by suspected armed herders

At least 17 people have been confirmed dead and several others injured in a wave of coordinated attacks carried out by suspected armed herders in Benue State.

The attacks occurred across Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas, sparking renewed concerns over security in the region.

The grim development was confirmed in a statement released on Friday by the Benue State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene. The statement, which was made available to journalists in Makurdi, provided further details on the incident.

According to Anene, five individuals were killed in Ukum while twelve others lost their lives in Logo. She also noted that several victims are currently receiving medical treatment for various degrees of injuries sustained during the assaults.

“On 17/4/2025 at about 2100hrs, information was received that a large number of suspected militia had invaded Sankera axis of Benue State with intention to attack communities around Gbagir, Ukum Local Government Area.

“Upon receipt of this report, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police command, CP. Steve Yabanet, ordered tactical teams to move to the area and join forces with police officers on ground and other security agencies to forestall the attack.

“Following this order, a team of officers moved to the area and engaged them. While the attackers were being repelled in the early hours of today, they shot sporadically at unsuspecting farmers as they came across them.

“Five persons were recovered at Gbagir area and taken to the hospital where they were confirmed dead.

“Unfortunately an unsuspected simultaneous attack was carried out in Logo where 12 persons were killed before the arrival of the police, making a total of 17 persons.

“However, Security agencies within Sankera axis are still engaging the bandits as they retreat back to the forest around Taraba axis,” she said.

SP Anene also cautioned social media users against spreading unverified information, stating that such actions could incite fear and worsen the situation.

She reaffirmed the Command’s resolve under CP Yabanet to restore peace and urged residents of the Sankera region to continue cooperating with security forces as operations continued.