By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
Contrary to the number of casualties announced by the Benue State Police Command, the State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has confirmed the death of 55 persons in Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Sankera axis of the state as a result of last Thursday’s attacks by suspected herdsmen.
Speaking during a visit to the affected communities to assess the number of casualties in the area, Gov. Alia condemned the unprovoked invasion, warning that any local found collaborating with the attackers would not be spared.
Gov. Alia who assured residents that the state government was taking steps to address the security challenges confronting the North-Central state, emphasised that while Benue people have the capacity to defend themselves, they must not take the law into their own hands but allow security agencies to handle the situation.
On the number of casualties, the governor said 27 persons were killed in Logo, while 28 lost their lives in Ukum and appreciated the security forces for their bravery in responding to the attacks.
He also appreciated the Tor Sankera, Chief David Sev-Av who took over leadership at a critical time and charged him to warn his subjects against engaging in reprisals.
Alia expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu’s renewed approach to national security would help bring an end to insecurity, particularly in Benue State.
Recall that volumes of human blood splashed in both LGAs as the suspected herdsmen attacked the axis.
The violence on the communities started on Thursday when the attackers were allegedly going to their various targeted places of attack and persons they met on their way, were murdered.
On Friday, the attackers, who had mobilized themselves, attacked communities in Ukum , Katsina-Ala and Logo LGAs killing several persons in the process.
According to eyewitness account, between Thursday and Friday a lot of people were killed and corpses recovered were more than 50 as over four trucks conveyed the bodies to the mortuary even as arrangements were being made for more trucks.
Some persons were also reportedly missing.
However, a police source had informed that about 17 people were killed during the herdsmen attack on communities in Ukum and Logo LGAs.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Benue State Command, Sewuese Catherine Anene revealed that: “On 17/4/2025 at about 2100hrs, information was received that a large number of suspected militia had invaded Sankera axis of Benue State with intention to attack communities around Gbagir, Ukum Local Government Area.
“Upon receipt of this report, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police command, CP Steve H. Yabanet FCID, psc (+) ordered tactical teams to move to the area and join forces with police officers on ground and other security agencies to forestall the attack.
“Following this order, a team of officers moved to the area and engaged them. While the attackers were being repelled in the early hours of today, they shot sporadically at unsuspecting farmers as they came across them. Five (5) persons were recovered at Gbagir area and taken to the hospital where they were confirmed dead.
“Unfortunately an unsuspected simultaneous attack was carried out in Logo where twelve (12) persons were killed before the arrival of the police, making a total of seventeen persons.
“However, security agencies within Sankera axis are still engaging the bandits as they retreat back to the forest around Taraba axis.”
The Commissioner of Police, according to the statement, warned social media users that were reporting unconfirmed reports and allegedly inciting the general public, to desist from such actions that were capable of creating unnecessary tension in the state.
The Benue State Police boss reiterated his commitment to fight the attackers even as he encouraged the people of Sankera to continue to cooperate with the police as the operation was ongoing.
Another source revealed that news of the invaders oozed out to the afflicted communities long enough for any forestalling actions to be taken, but that “no one took any action to stop the killing of the innocent farmers” which, the source informed, was deliberately planned.
