A series of brutal attacks by suspected armed herdsmen in Benue State’s Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas has left communities devastated, with conflicting reports on the death toll creating tension between state authorities.
Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Benue State Police Command have presented starkly different figures, raising concerns about the official response to the crisis.
The violence, which struck between Thursday night and Friday morning, April 17-18, 2025, targeted rural villages in the Sankera axis, including Ugondo in Logo LGA and Tyuluv and Gbagir in Ukum LGA.
Armed assailants, believed to be herders, burned homes, destroyed properties, and killed dozens of residents.
Many survivors have fled to internally displaced persons camps in Zaki-Biam and Ugba, seeking safety amid ongoing fear.
The Benue State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Catherine Anene, initially reported 17 deaths on April 18, with 12 in Logo LGA and five in Ukum LGA.
However, during an on-the-spot assessment on April 19, Governor Alia announced a death toll of 55, citing 27 deaths in Logo and 28 in Ukum.
By April 20, the governor revised the figure to 56, warning that ongoing searches could uncover more victims.
A later statement from the governor’s office, via Principal Special Assistant Isaac Uzaan, claimed the toll had climbed to 72, with 13 additional bodies recovered—12 in Ukum and one in Logo.
This discrepancy has sparked questions about coordination between the state government and security agencies.
A source close to the government, speaking anonymously, suggested the police’s lower count may reflect limited access to remote areas, while the governor’s figures incorporate reports from community leaders and volunteers assisting in recovery efforts.
The attacks have fueled outrage among residents, with a viral video capturing Ukum locals rejecting Governor Alia during his visit, chanting in Tiv to demand justice.
The Sankera axis, encompassing Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala LGAs, has seen 83 deaths between April 17 and 21, crippling economic activities and leaving survivors without food, shelter, or medical aid.
Governor Alia condemned the attacks as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the farming season, describing them as a “painful reminder” of Benue’s security challenges.
He pledged to cover burial and medical costs for victims and appealed for federal support, stating, “We are helpless; we don’t have arms to defend ourselves.”
Additional security forces have been deployed, and community leaders engaged to restore calm.
On April 22, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu visited Benue, conveying President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the crisis and warning against politicizing the violence.
However, local groups like the Benue Democratic Ambassadors have criticized the state government, alleging that 20 of Benue’s 23 LGAs are under siege by armed herders.
The Igede Youth Council and traditional rulers, including Ter Ukum Chief Orkaa Kaave, have demanded that local vigilantes be equipped to confront attackers and that urgent relief be provided to displaced residents.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has denied involvement, with its Benue chairman, Mohammed Risku, claiming Fulani herders are also victims of violence by state security outfits.
This has complicated the narrative, with some locals accusing the government of failing to distinguish between perpetrators and innocent herders.
With 270 deaths recorded across 10 LGAs between April 1 and June 1, 2025, Benue faces an escalating crisis.
The disagreement over the death toll highlights deeper issues of trust and coordination between the state government and security agencies.
As communities grapple with loss and displacement, urgent action is needed to restore peace and accountability.
Tags
local