At least 17 residents have been reportedly killed after suspected herdsmen attacked Mbalom community in Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State, in a fresh wave of violence that has heightened security concerns in the region.
The attack, which occurred on Saturday, left the rural community devastated, with several homes reportedly burnt and bodies recovered from the scene.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson to the state governor, Tersoo Kula, said authorities were still assessing the situation and verifying casualty figures.
“There was an attack at Mbalom in the Gwer West Local Government Area. But as for the number of casualties, the police said they were still combing the bush. The police also told me they were going after the attackers. We have issued a statement condemning the attack,” he said.
However, a resident who spoke anonymously for security reasons told reporters that the community had already counted 17 victims.
“So far, 17 dead bodies have been identified,” the source said.
Images circulating from the scene showed lifeless bodies loaded into a vehicle, while others lay on the ground near burnt structures, underscoring the scale of destruction.
In an official reaction, Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the killings, describing the attack as brutal and unacceptable.
“The governor describes the barbaric act as unacceptable, and a direct affront to the collective peace and security of the state. He expresses deep sympathy to families affected by the attack and assures them that the government stands firmly with them in this difficult time,” the statement read.
The governor also raised concerns over what he described as a pattern of coordinated attacks in parts of the state, warning that such acts would not be allowed to persist.
“He reiterates his unwavering resolve to confront and subdue all forms of criminality threatening the safety of Benue communities,” the statement added.
While commending security agencies for their swift response, the government said operatives had intensified efforts to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Udeme Edet, did not respond to calls seeking further details on the incident.
The latest attack adds to growing insecurity in parts of North-Central Nigeria, coming amid reports of a separate assault on a church in Kaduna State, where security forces reportedly rescued dozens of worshippers.
