Suspected armed herders on Saturday unleashed terror on Mbalom, Mbatsada, and Agana communities in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, killing at least nine people.
Sources described Mbalom, Mbatsada, and Agana as rural communities situated along the Ikpayongo–Agana–Ayar–Mbalom road in Gwer East LGA.
The attackers were reported to have invaded the communities at about 6 pm on Saturday.
It was gathered that the attack coincided with a market day in Mbalom, where the assailants stormed the market and surrounding communities, embarking on a killing spree.
Several persons were also said to have sustained injuries, while many residents fled to safer areas.
The Chairman of Gwer East LGA, Timothy Adi, who confirmed the attack in a phone conversation with Online, said nine corpses had been recovered.
He said, “The invasion and attacks happened yesterday (Saturday) between 5 pm and 6 pm. Nine corpses have so far been recovered — two yesterday (Saturday) and seven today (Sunday).”
Adi described the invasion as unprovoked, lamented the killings, and appealed to the Federal Government to help curtail the activities of armed herders in the state.
Efforts to get the reaction of the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as calls to her phone were not answered.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has condemned the attack on the people of Mbalom in Gwer East Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, and made available to journalists in Makurdi, Alia described the incident as a “barbaric act and a direct affront to the collective peace and security of the state.”
While expressing sympathy to families affected by the attack, the governor assured them that the government stands firmly with them in this difficult time.
“Governor Alia notes with grave concern the pattern of what appears to be calculated and selective attacks in parts of the state, stressing that such acts of terror, though increasingly hydra-headed in nature, will not be allowed to thrive.
“He reiterates his unwavering resolve to confront and subdue all forms of criminality threatening the safety of Benue communities,” the statement read in part.
The governor commended security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, for their swift response, assuring that operatives were on the trail of the perpetrators to ensure their arrest and prosecution.
He urged security agencies to intensify operations to forestall further occurrences and bring lasting relief to affected communities.
While acknowledging the challenges posed by incessant attacks on communities across the state, Alia assured residents that his administration would not relent in its duty to safeguard lives and property.
He emphasised that necessary measures were being taken to strengthen the state’s security architecture, enhance intelligence gathering, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to restore lasting peace.
The governor appealed to residents to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding, urging them to support security agencies with credible information that could aid ongoing operations.
The latest attack came barely 24 hours after the state Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, announced that the Inspector-General of Police had deployed additional tactical teams to the state to reinforce security and ensure a hitch-free Easter celebration.