25 Feared Dead as Suspected Herdsmen Unleash Terror on Benue Community

At least 25 lives have been tragically lost in yet another wave of violence in Benue State, Nigeria, following an attack by suspected herdsmen on the Edikwu Ankpali community, located in the Apa Local Government Area. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on Sunday, leaving the community in mourning and many families shattered.

Eyewitness accounts and local sources confirm that the assailants stormed the village in large numbers, opening fire on unsuspecting residents as they went about their daily lives. According to reports gathered from community members, several individuals were also kidnapped during the chaos, raising concerns about the growing insecurity in the region.

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Vincent, a local resident who narrowly escaped the carnage, told Daily Post that the community was entirely caught off guard. “They came with heavy firepower and we had no chance. People were running in all directions. It was like a battlefield,” he recounted. “I saw people falling, crying, dying. Our village has never seen such horror.”

Ongoing Bloodshed Across Benue State

This devastating attack in Edikwu Ankpali comes on the heels of another violent episode last Thursday in Tse Orjime Community, located in Agan of Mbalagh Council Ward, within Makurdi Council Area. In that incident, three individuals were reportedly murdered by armed herdsmen while working on their farms.

What has stirred additional outrage is the context in which these attacks have occurred. Reports indicate that the Tiv traditional rulers had recently issued an eviction notice to herders, urging them to vacate certain localities due to ongoing tensions. The herdsmen’s violent retaliation now appears to be linked to that directive.

The aftermath of the Tse Orjime killings saw angry youths transporting the corpses of the deceased to the residence of Hon. Alfred Berger, the State House of Assembly member representing Makurdi North. The protest nearly spiraled into another tragedy, as the irate crowd threatened to torch the legislator’s house while his children were reportedly inside.

Lawmakers and Locals Cry for Help

Hon. Berger, visibly distressed, confirmed the attack and explained the dire situation. “Armed herdsmen attacked my people and killed three persons on their farms. I’ve done all I can to maintain peace since being elected. But everything changed at 6 p.m. on Thursday,” he said.

He expressed deep concern for the safety of his constituents and his own family, emphasizing the urgent need for decisive intervention. “My house was almost set ablaze, and my children were at home when the angry youths arrived. It shows the level of frustration and fear in our communities,” Berger explained.

The lawmaker also called on security agencies and the federal government to intervene immediately before more blood is spilled. “These communities are under siege. We cannot continue to lose innocent lives while those responsible roam free,” he said passionately.

Mounting Insecurity and Displacement

Benue State has long been one of the hardest-hit regions in Nigeria’s ongoing conflict between farmers and herders. The violence has resulted in the displacement of thousands and the destruction of countless homes, farmlands, and livelihoods.

With the latest attacks, residents fear a resurgence of the type of communal violence that once led to mass graves and refugee camps. Local leaders and civil society organizations are now intensifying calls for improved security measures, particularly in rural and agrarian communities that are often left undefended.

Security analysts believe that without a comprehensive approach—combining law enforcement, dialogue, and economic support—lasting peace in Benue and similar states may remain elusive.

As Edikwu Ankpali mourns its dead and the residents of Tse Orjime bury their loved ones, the broader Benue State community is demanding more than words. They want action—swift, sustainable, and just.

The government, security forces, and community stakeholders must rise to the challenge. Otherwise, the cycle of violence may continue unchecked, with more lives lost and communities left in ruin.

The people of Benue are no strangers to resilience. But even resilience has its limits when confronted by repeated bloodshed and the fear of extinction.