Bloodshed on Christmas Day: 11 Killed in Benue Attack by Suspected Herdsmen and Militants
George Okoh, Makurdi
On Christmas Day, 11 people were killed in a violent attack by gunmen suspected to be a mix of herdsmen and Jukum militia, targeting villages in Kwande Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
Sources report that the assailants launched their assault shortly after residents returned home from Christmas Day church services and were preparing for the holiday celebrations. The gunmen opened fire indiscriminately and chased residents, causing widespread panic.
Solomon Amande, a former aide to the state’s previous governor and a native of one of the affected communities, confirmed the attack. He explained that, following a period of relative calm, many villagers who had fled due to previous herdsmen violence had recently returned to their homes. They were attempting to resume normal life when the attackers struck.
Amande described the horrific scenes: “The people were returning from church, getting ready to celebrate Christmas with family and friends, when they were ambushed by the attackers, who came from five different directions. They began shooting and chasing after anyone they could catch. They killed about 10 people at Anwase, in Mbaikyor Council Ward, and one more at Iyaav Council Ward near Tse Jam River Crossing.”
He continued: “The killings took place in communities located at the base of the mountain. It was a tragic Christmas for our people.”
The former aide also noted that the authorities had been notified, and both military and police forces have been deployed to Jato-Aka, a nearby town, in response to the incident. Additionally, the newly established state security team is expected to assist in securing the area, which has been a long-standing hotspot for violence.
Chief Iorbee Ihagh, President of Mzough U Tiv (MUT), and a native of Moon Council Ward, another affected area, also confirmed the deaths and reported that several other people remain missing following the attack.
“The leaders of the impacted communities have already filed a report with the police,” Ihagh stated. “Aside from the 11 confirmed deaths, many others are still unaccounted for.”
When reached for comment, Chief Joseph Har, the Governor’s Adviser on Internal Security, acknowledged being informed of the attack but had no additional details at the time. The Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Catherine Anene, also stated that she had not yet received a formal report of the incident.
