Armed herders, on Saturday, invaded the Mbalom, Mbatsada, and Agana towns in Benue’s Gwer East Local Government Area, killing at least nine people.
According to sources, Mbalom, Mbatsada, and Agana are rural communities located on the Ikpayongo-Agana-Ayar-Mbalom route in Gwer East LGA.
The attackers were said to have entered the neighborhoods about 6 p.m. on Saturday.
According to reports, the attack occurred on a market day in Mbalom, during which the gunmen stormed the market and adjacent neighborhoods, killing everyone.
Several people were reported to have been injured, and many residents fled to safer regions.
The Chairman of Gwer East LGA, Timothy Adi, who confirmed the attack to the press, 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 condemned the incursion as unjustified, mourned the fatalities, and urged the federal government to assist in reducing the activities of armed herders in the state.
Calls to the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, went unanswered.
Meanwhile, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has condemned the attack by the herders on the people of Mbalom in the Gwer East Local Government Area.
In a statement released on Sunday by his chief press secretary, Kula Tersoo, and made available to media in Makurdi, Alia condemned the occurrence as a “barbaric act and a direct affront to the collective peace and security of the state.”
While expressing sympathy to the families affected by the attack, the governor assured them that the government is firmly behind them at 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 praised security forces, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, for their prompt response, stating that operatives were on the trail of the criminals and would ensure their arrest and conviction.
He asked security services to step up activities to prevent future disasters and provide long-term support to affected areas.
While admitting the problems created by ongoing attacks on communities around the state, Alia assured locals that his administration would not abandon its obligation to protect lives and property.
He emphasized that essential steps were being made to strengthen the state’s security architecture, improve intelligence collecting, and engage with relevant parties to restore long-term stability.
The governor urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding and to provide security forces with credible information that could benefit current operations.
The latest incident occurred just 24 hours after the state commissioner of police, Ifeanyi Emenari, said that the inspector-general of Police had sent additional tactical teams to the state to strengthen security and ensure a smooth Easter celebration.
