Seven Killed, Others Missing in Midnight Attack by Armed Herders in Benue Community

Stock photo

Seven people, including women and children, were confirmed dead following a violent attack by suspected armed herders on Agbo Vengav community in Udam, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State. The incident occurred around 1:00 am on Friday when the assailants launched a sudden assault while residents were asleep.

According to eyewitness accounts from locals who requested anonymity, the attackers invaded the community in the dead of night, catching residents off guard. A young girl was reportedly among the victims, while her mother was abducted during the attack. Her whereabouts remain unknown at the time of this report.

Residents who survived the assault described the scene as chaotic and tragic, with several houses attacked and people fleeing into the nearby bushes. As of the latest reports, seven bodies have been recovered, and the search is ongoing for those still missing.

Local authorities and community members are still working to assess the full scale of the attack. Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command for official confirmation were unsuccessful, as her phone lines were unreachable.

The attack adds to the growing list of violent incidents in Benue State, a region that has witnessed repeated clashes between armed herders and farming communities. The state government and security agencies have been under pressure to find lasting solutions to the persistent violence that has claimed thousands of lives in recent years.