Less than 48 hours after President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to Benue State, suspected armed herdsmen have launched another deadly attack on a local community, sparking fear and renewed tension in the area.
The incident occurred late Friday night in a rural settlement within Guma Local Government Area, one of the regions previously identified as a hotspot for violent clashes between herders and farmers.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the village in large numbers, firing gunshots sporadically and setting homes ablaze. The exact number of casualties has yet to be confirmed, but sources within the community report several injuries and possible fatalities.
A youth corps member serving in the area, who narrowly escaped the assault, described the scene as chaotic.
“It was like a war zone. We heard gunshots and everyone began to run into the bushes. People were screaming and trying to save their children. I don’t know how I made it out,” he said, speaking under anonymity for security reasons.
Local authorities say security agencies have been deployed to the area to restore calm and prevent further violence. However, residents have expressed frustration over what they call a slow and ineffective response by the government to ongoing attacks in the state.
The latest violence comes just two days after President Tinubu visited Makurdi, the Benue State capital, where he pledged renewed efforts to tackle insecurity and support displaced communities.
Community leaders are calling for immediate intervention and the establishment of a permanent security presence to prevent further loss of lives and property.
As of press time, the Benue State Police Command has not released an official statement on the incident.
