At least six people have been confirmed dead following a brutal midnight attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Adógó settlement in Mbakundu Kindred of Tombo, located in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.
The deadly raid, which occurred at approximately 11:00 pm on Sunday night, plunged the quiet agrarian community into chaos and mourning.
According to eyewitness accounts and reports from locals, the armed attackers stormed the village in large numbers, heavily armed with sophisticated firearms and machetes.
In a heart-wrenching viral video posted to his official Facebook page, Haakyav Tombu Peter, a notable indigene of the area, narrated the horror that unfolded.
He stated that the assailants moved from house to house, shooting indiscriminately and hacking down innocent residents under the cover of darkness.
“The attackers came like a flood, armed with AK-47s and machetes. Our people were sleeping when they descended on us. They went door to door, slaughtering children and adults. It lasted for hours—and no help came,” Tombu said, visibly distraught.
So far, six bodies have been recovered and taken to the Community Health Clinic at Adógó for preservation. The identified victims include Ansambe Akpen, Shina Ayom Akpen, Bade Jam Ata, Shiekuma Kpebee, and Sughter Avindigh Taku. The identity of the sixth victim was still being verified at the time of this report.
Locals also expressed deep concern over the lack of response from security agencies during the prolonged attack, which they said lasted several hours. Community members fear the death toll may rise as more residents are still unaccounted for.
Efforts to reach the Spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command for confirmation or comments proved futile, as multiple calls to her mobile line went unanswered.
This attack adds to the long list of violent incursions by suspected herders in the Middle Belt region, reigniting calls for urgent security intervention in Benue’s rural communities, which continue to bear the brunt of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity crisis.
More details to follow as the story develops.