58 Killed in Weekend Carnage as Armed Attacks and Communal Clashes Escalate

Benue State was once again plunged into mourning over the weekend, with no fewer than 58 lives lost in a combination of brutal armed attacks and a communal clash that swept across three local government areas. This latest wave of violence saw 43 people killed in coordinated attacks on Gwer West and Apa LGAs, while a separate communal conflict in Gwer East LGA left 15 others dead and over 200 homes reduced to rubble.

Sunday evening’s attacks come barely a week after 42 people, including a police officer, were massacred in similar violence across villages in Gwer West. With these fresh incidents, the death toll from armed violence in Benue between April 1 and June 1, 2025, has now reached at least 270—marking one of the deadliest periods in the state’s recent history.

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In Tse Antswam, a community near Naka town in Gwer West, assailants opened fire indiscriminately around 7 p.m., killing at least 18 villagers. Survivors recounted scenes of horror, with many residents fleeing into surrounding bushes or even diving into wells to escape the gunfire.

The traditional ruler of the area, Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse, confirmed the death toll and described the attack as “guerrilla-style,” adding that the community lies in close proximity to a military checkpoint—raising troubling questions about the attackers’ confidence and the apparent breakdown in local security systems.

In Apa LGA, gunmen descended on Edikwu Ankpali community, leaving a trail of devastation. Local sources, including a resident named Tony, reported over 25 deaths, while another attack was said to have occurred in the Opaha community early Monday morning, with casualties yet to be confirmed.

Both Victor Ormini and Adams Ocheiga, the chairmen of Gwer West and Apa LGAs respectively, confirmed the attacks and expressed their frustration over the persistent bloodshed. Ocheiga said he was en route to affected villages to assess the damage firsthand.

270 Dead in 61 Days as Benue Faces Relentless Violence

This recent carnage adds to an alarming security crisis in Benue. The Sankera axis—comprising Katsina-Ala, Logo, and Ukum LGAs—remains the worst-hit, with 83 deaths recorded over five days in April. Gwer West has now emerged as the second-most affected area, witnessing more than 60 killings in just eight days.

State Police PRO, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the June 1 attacks but said accurate casualty figures were still being compiled. “Tactical teams have been deployed and are already on ground,” she said in a WhatsApp message to reporters.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has once again denied any involvement of its members in the violence. The state secretary, Ibrahim Galma, described the incidents as “pure criminality,” distancing the Fulani herders from the recurring attacks.

Meanwhile, in Gwer East, a communal clash between Mbakine and Ojumole communities claimed 15 lives, including women and children, and destroyed over 200 homes. The violence reportedly began as a petty disagreement over the purchase of an orange at a rural market but quickly spiraled into a full-blown ethnic conflict.

Comrade Andyson Iji Egbodo, President of the Igede Youth Council, described the situation as “harrowing,” urging Governor Hyacinth Alia to take swift action. “What began as a disagreement between two individuals has turned into a catastrophic communal crisis,” he warned.

The traditional ruler of Ukum LGA, Chief Orkaa Kaave, advocated for empowering local militias to counter armed invaders. “Our local boys, if united and properly equipped, can contain these attackers,” he said, urging internal cooperation among community defense groups.

Security analyst Clinton Agada stressed the need for a comprehensive technological upgrade to Nigeria’s security infrastructure. He recommended deploying long-range surveillance drones and empowering local vigilantes. “Most agencies are overstretched. We need to bridge the gap with technology and grassroots intelligence,” Agada stated.

Governor Hyacinth Alia, in his recent speech at IBB Square in Makurdi during his administration’s second anniversary, expressed optimism that insecurity in Benue would soon become a thing of the past. However, with the escalating death toll and persistent attacks across 10 local government areas, many residents are calling for more urgent and visible action.

As prayers intensify, led by groups such as the Faith Women Fellowship Ministry International, the people of Benue remain caught in a cycle of grief and fear, demanding real solutions to an ever-deepening crisis.