At least 43 people have been confirmed dead in recent attacks targeting communities in the Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas of Benue State.
The latest wave of attacks, which unfolded on Sunday evening, marks yet another tragic chapter in a series of violent episodes and comes just one week after the devastating loss of over 40 lives, including that of a police officer, during similar brutal assaults on vulnerable villages within the Gwer West region.
As the persistent violence continues to cast a dark shadow over the community, leaving residents in fear and mourning, some locals disclosed to reporters in Makurdi that the attackers stormed Tse Antswam, a suburb of Naka town in Gwer West LGA, at about 7 pm and opened fire indiscriminately, leaving not less than 18 community members dead and many others injured.
Survivors recounted harrowing tales of how many villagers fled into the dense underbrush or even took desperate measures by jumping into wells to evade the devastating onslaught.
The traditional ruler of the area, Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse, confirmed the tragic death toll and characterized the nature of the attack as guerrilla-like, marked by swift and unexpected strikes that left the community members in great shock.
According to Chief Abomtse, “As of this morning, 18 bodies have been recovered. Some of the wounded may not survive because they were badly butchered. The search for more victims is ongoing.”
The Royal Father, who noted that the affected village lies opposite a military checkpoint along the abandoned Naka–Makurdi road, said the unfortunate incident raises further concerns over the brazenness of the attackers.
Similarly, reports indicated that the attacks in Apa LGA were equally devastating, with local sources saying the gunmen invaded Edikwu Ankpali community around the same time as the Naka attack, killing over 25 people.
Relating his experience to journalists on the phone in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, a resident, simply identified as Tony, said that, “Over 25 corpses have been counted in Edikwu Ankpali. Burial arrangements are already underway for some of the victims.”
Also confirming the unfortunate incident, former government official John Ikwulono, said the Opaha community was attacked early Monday morning, with casualties yet to be fully known.
“The people are trapped in Odugbo now. They can’t even flee. Eleven people have already been buried from earlier attacks in Edikwu. Unfortunately, the death toll is climbing,” he said.
In his reaction, the Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Ormini, expressed deep frustration, saying, “I’m tired of speaking to journalists. Exactly a week ago, I told you about the killing of over 40 people. Today again, we are counting the dead; 14 corpses so far in Naka alone. It keeps getting worse.”
This is as his counterpart in Apa, Adams Ocheiga, said he was en route to the affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
Contacted on the development, the new spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the incidents but failed to give specific casualty figures, saying, “This is to confirm there was an attack yesterday at Naka and Apa.
“Tactical teams have been deployed and are already on the ground. I’ll provide accurate figures once I get full details”.
