A fresh wave of terror swept through Benue State on Good Friday, as suspected armed herdsmen unleashed violence on Gbagir community in Ukum Local Government Area, killing at least 17 people, including women and children, and leaving more than 25 others critically wounded.
The attackers reportedly stormed the peaceful community at about 6:00 am, targeting worshippers on their way to church, in what locals described as a calculated and brutal ambush.
According to eyewitnesses, the assailants were heavily armed with AK-47 rifles, and wasted no time in opening fire on unarmed residents. The gunshots shattered the early morning calm, plunging the community into chaos and grief.
According to reports, affected community members were seen gathering the corpses of their loved ones at the palace of the traditional ruler, in a desperate bid to seek visibility and justice.”
A local resident said: “They first attacked Chito, a neighbouring community, on Thursday and killed two people,” the source recounted. “This morning, they invaded Gbagir and slaughtered 10 of our people, including women and children. Over 25 people are wounded, and we don’t even know how many will survive.”
The source, like many others in the area, expressed deep frustration and anger, accusing the government of abandoning their communities to die in silence.
“Each time they attack, no security operatives come. We bury our dead alone. We treat our wounded with nothing. We are on our own,” he lamented.
However, the Benue State Police Command has confirmed the deaths of 17 individuals as a result of the attack.
In a statement issued on Friday, Police Public Relations Officer Catherine Anene reported that a large group of armed militia stormed the Sankera axis on Thursday evening, launching violent assaults on the Gbagir area of Ukum and parts of Katsina-Ala in Logo.
“On 17/4/2025 at about 2100hrs, information was received that a large number of suspected militia had invaded the Sankera axis of Benue State with the intention to attack communities around Gbagir, Ukum Local Government Area,” Anene stated.
She said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Steve H. Yabanet, immediately deployed tactical teams to reinforce officers already stationed in the area and coordinated efforts with other security agencies to push back the attackers.
