A wave of renewed violence has hit Guma Local Government Area of Benue State as suspected armed herdsmen launched fresh attacks, leaving at least one person dead and several others unaccounted for.
The latest assault occurred in Tsekar village, located within Ukohol, Nyiev Council Ward, where a resident, Mr. Tyough William, was brutally murdered.
Local residents said the assailants stormed the village unexpectedly, causing panic and chaos among villagers who fled into surrounding bushes for safety.
In a related and equally disturbing development, another group of armed herdsmen reportedly ambushed Tiv travelers along the Yogbo-Gungu Aze road.
The travelers were said to be returning from Yogbo to Ortese community when they were attacked.
According to eyewitnesses, one of the victims, identified as Mr. Udam Dogo, has been declared missing. Concern grew among family members after multiple calls to his phone were picked by an unidentified Fulani herder, further escalating fears of abduction or worse.
Although community members are still working to ascertain the full number of missing persons and potential fatalities, no official casualty figure has been released.
When contacted for a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, stated that she had not yet received details of the incident.
This tragic incident adds to the growing list of deadly attacks in Benue, a state that has borne the brunt of Nigeria’s long-running farmer-herder conflicts.
Residents are calling on security agencies and the state government to urgently intervene and restore peace to the affected communities.
