Scores killed in Easter Day attack in Benue

While the Benue State Police Command has confirmed that nine persons were killed during the attack, some sources stated that the number of persons killed were seventeen.

The attack, which occurred on Easter Day, is believed to have been carried out by suspected armed herdsmen.

The incident has heightened concerns over recurring security challenges in parts of the state.

In a statement by the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, security operatives were swiftly deployed following a distress call from residents.

A joint security team later combed the area, recovering nine bodies, which were evacuated to the General Hospital in Aliade.

The police noted that early findings indicate the violence may be linked to rising tensions within the community, though accounts of the immediate trigger remain unclear.

To restore calm, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) and the Area Commander in Gboko have been deployed to coordinate security efforts on the ground. The State Criminal Investigation Department has also commenced a full-scale investigation, while tactical units, including the Police Mobile Force, have been mobilised to track down the perpetrators.

Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, assured residents of the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

He urged the public to remain calm and provide credible information to aid ongoing investigations, adding that further updates would be communicated as the probe progresses.

Local sources who did not want their names mentioned for security reasons said the assailants also set houses ablaze, displacing many residents, with many missing as search efforts continue.

“This is heartbreaking. People were caught unawares. Many are still missing,” a resident said.

Witness accounts indicate that the attackers struck without warning, forcing families to flee into the bush as gunshots rang through the community.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attack, describing it as “heinous” and unacceptable.

The statement, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said the governor expressed sympathy to affected families and assured residents that the government would pursue those responsible.

Mr Alia also noted what he described as a pattern of “calculated and selective attacks” in parts of the state and pledged to strengthen security measures to prevent further violence.

Lifeless bodies of victims are loaded onto a Hilux van following the deadly attack on the Mbalom community in Benue State.

He commended the security agencies for their response and urged them to intensify operations to apprehend the perpetrators.

The incident adds to a history of deadly violence in the Mbalom area. In April 2018, suspected herders attacked a Catholic church in the community, killing two priests, Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha, during a morning mass.

At least 15 other persons were reportedly killed in that attack, which also saw houses burnt and properties destroyed.

Across Benue State, such attacks have continued to disrupt livelihoods, particularly in agrarian communities, raising broader questions about security and protection for vulnerable populations.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing, while security agencies have launched efforts to track down those responsible.