Tag: Benue community

• Three victims rescued

The Executive Chairman of Makurdi Local Government, Joseph Keffi, has lauded security agencies for their swift response in rescuing residents abducted earlier this week in different parts of the council area.

The victims, Mr. Saaondo, Mr. Terfa, and Mrs. Msuurshima, were kidnapped on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, in Atôô village, while Mrs. Hembadoon Akiki, Mr. Terzungwe Iortyom, and Mrs. Kadoon Iortyom were abducted on Friday, January 9, 2026, in Adem, Bar Council Ward.

All were rescued after coordinated action by security operatives.

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Keffi, speaking through his Special Adviser on Security and Political Matters, Beetseh Terhide Mark, commended the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and community leaders, which led to the arrest of two suspects, Ushahemba M. and Victor A.

He warned youths against engaging in criminal activities, especially kidnapping, urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement to authorities.

The chairman assured the people of Makurdi of his commitment to tackling insecurity in the area.

The Police Command in Benue on Saturday confirmed a deadly attack on Yelwata town in Guma Local Government Area of the state.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, told newsmen in Makurdi that the incident took place in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Edet said that during the invasion, security operatives engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of gunfire.

She also said that the attackers killed people but declined to mention the figure.

“According to our information, it happened in the early hours of Saturday, when suspected bandits invaded Yelwata town.

“The police and tactical teams posted to the town and reinforcements responded swiftly to the attack and engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange, and some of the attackers were killed in the process.

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“But it’s with great sadness that we report that some individuals lost their lives and others sustained injuries.

“The police, however, have not relented and are still in pursuit of the attackers and will continue to keep everyone safe,” she said.

However, a resident of Yelewata town told NAN that more than 70 corpses were already recovered, adding that the search for people missing was still on.

“The death toll will rise as the search and rescue mission is on. Many were burnt already in stores.

“I am right here on the ground. More than 85 per cent of the victims are IDPs that ran from Antsa, Dooka, Kadarko, and Giza areas and are taking refuge at various stores in Yelwata Market and residences.

“There is a police station and military checkpoint here in Yelwata town, but they were outnumbered by attackers,” the source said.

(NAN)

Benue State Police Command yesterday confirmed the killing of three persons in Mbasombo community of Gwer East Local Government Area by assailants.

Its Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Sewuese Anene, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi.

 Anene told NAN that the incident took place on Wednesday night.

“Three persons were killed and some injured while several houses were razed by the attackers.

“Security operatives have been deployed in the area,” she said.

Meanwhile, a survivor from the village, John Terwase, said the heavily armed invaders stormed the village under the cover of darkness, shooting indiscriminately and burning several houses.

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 Terwase said the attack sent waves of panic throughout the community, with many residents fleeing into surrounding bushes and nearby villages.

“We were already asleep when we heard gunshots coming from the direction of the farmlands.

“At first, we thought it might be thieves, but then the shooting became intense.” We ran with our children, some without shoes, into the night. I have not seen my younger brother since then.

“This is a massacre, not just an attack. Our village is just seven minutes drive away from Makurdi, the state capital. If we are not safe here, where are we supposed to be safe?” he asked.

According to residents, the casualty figure could be higher, as many villagers are missing while injured ones are receiving treatment in makeshift shelters and nearby clinics.

Mbasombo is a farming community on the outskirts of Makurdi.

Ayilamo settlement in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State has become deserted following a bloody attack by suspected herdsmen that killed three persons and destroyed many property and crops.

Ayilamo settlement, an agrarian community, located at the Bank of River Benue, along Abinsi-Tyulen- Anyiin-Wukari trunk A federal road, is renowned for massive rice, yam and soybeans cultivation, particularly in Tombo ward, Logo Local Government Area, of Benue State.

Suspected armed herdsmen reportedly stormed the community on 9th, October, 2024 between 9pm and 3am, and opened fire on residents who were fast asleep.

Security personnel and youths in the community were said to have put up resistance against the invaders, culminating in a fierce gun battle. In the end, three persons were reportedly killed; over 10 houses were set ablaze while several persons sustained various degrees of injury.

The newly sworn-in Chairman of Logo Government Council, Clement Kav, who hurriedly visited the affected area, condemned the dastardly attacks and killings.

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He immediately directed the deployment of troops and mobile policemen to halt further attacks on the community.

The house of the community monarch, Mue Ter Ipusu, Chief Dr. Enoch Ikyumen, was torched and his property burnt down.

The chairman later visited the Ayilamo Primary Health Care (PHC) where those who sustained injuries were being treated, and directed for the immediate transfer of badly injured victims to the Benue State Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.

Gunshot wound victims receiving treatment  at Ayilamo  PHC include; Yinanga Mbatsavende, Ahua Timothy, Azashachia Butu, Orhiiga Torbee, Dem Msuega, Ahua Mwarga, Vihior Dominic, Doosuur Terna, Mbapinen Mpuuga, Ushahemba Uza, Keghter Uza, Mhen Uza .

Meanwhile calm has returned to the area after more security personnel were deployed.

Some residents of the community who spoke to The Nation said the herdsmen hide under the guise of grazing cattle to perpetrate the heinous crime.

They said they were armed with sophisticated weapons and moved from one house to another, setting them ablaze.

A resident, Mr. Unande, said from Anyibe settlement to Tse Dzungwe- Ibor and Gbeleve villages all the planted yams, maize, corns and soybeans have been destroyed by the herdsmen and their cattle.

“If the state and federal government with their security don’t protect us, hunger alone will kill us,” Unande said.

The Logo Police Division confirmed the incident.

Operation Whirl Stroke, a Joint Military Operation (JMO), rescued eight people from kidnappers operating along the Taraba-Benue border between Wukari and Zakibiam in the Ukum local government area of Benue state.

The troops paraded the rescued victims in front of select media houses at their military base camp in Zabibiam, Ukum local government area over the weekend.

The rescued individuals include an NYSC member and a lawyer who had been abducted for over a month and were held by their abductors while their families negotiated for ransom.

The Nation reported that Rabiu Muhammad, who came to pay ransom for his cousin Ibrahim Umar, was also abducted after the ransom was collected from him.

A military officer from the 401 Special Forces Brigade/Sector One of the Operation Whirl Stroke team, who requested anonymity because he was not allowed to speak with the press, stated that the rescued individuals are Samuel Muekera (29 years old), Mr. Anaelechi Bob (32 years old), Ayuba Luka (28 years old), Ibrahim Umar (30 years old), Rabiu Muhammad (48 years old), Buhari Ahmadu Saleh (17 years old), and Blessing Ayuba (47 years old).

The officer mentioned that the 7 rescued victims were kidnapped at different times and dates while driving on the Zaki-Biam Wukari road in different vehicles.

The military troops reported that the bandits terrorizing the residents of Ukum, Katsina, and the Sankera Local Government Areas are remnants of the late criminal gang leader known as Terwase Agwaza, also called Gana.

Some of the victims who spoke to The Nation said they were kidnapped while travelling along the Zakibiam-Wukari road and remained in the kidnappers’ den for more than one month before the military came to their rescue.

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They said bandits operating in settlements like Chito, Tse Anaka, and Pevikya have made kidnapping a means of livelihood, leading to an increase in criminal activities in these areas.

The Nation also gathered that Blessing Ayuba, who came to pay ransom for her kidnapped brother, Tanko Ayuba, was also turned into a victim.

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, a military joint operation, are in Benue, Taraba, and Nassawa states, addressing security challenges. Over 20 million naira was collected as ransom from the families of those rescued.

The Special Adviser to the Benue State  Governor on Security, Chief Joe Har, has brokered a security peace meeting between the Chairman of Logo Local Government Area, Benjamin Uzenda and security agencies operating in the local government on the number of check-points in Ugba town, the headquarter of the local government.

The meeting, convened by the council chairman, was to resolve the incessant complaints from motorists and commercial motorcycle riders on the number of security check-points being operated as well as extortion.

There was a misunderstanding, following directives by the Council Chairman, Benjamin Uzenda, that the number of security checkpoints manned by the various security agencies be reduced.

Motorcycle riders popularly called Okada and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), had threatened to protest if the check-points were not reduced to a nearest minimum.

Speaking to The Nation after the meeting, Uzenda expressed satisfaction with the resolution reached at the meeting.

He said he took the steps to also reduced cost of food items in the market, stressing that when he took over the affairs of the local government, there was tension between some security agencies and roads ushers, especially okada riders and commercial vehicles over alleged extortion at multiple check-points mounted on the only major road that passed through the area.

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“I was worried because the alleged extortions going on at the check-points created unnecessary tension; so I had to invite the Security Adviser to the Governor to intervene and I’m happy the whole issue has been resolved.”

The Security Adviser to the Governor, Chief Har, corroborated the Chairman: “Yes the matter has been resolved, we urged all road ushers to support security personnel and agencies, because without them, nobody will do business in this very town.

“We also agreed on mode of operations, which I cannot tell you the media, but we have done everything possible to boost the morale of security agencies in Ugba town.”

• Six killed

• INEC office burnt

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Zakibiam, the headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area, with effect from 3pm yesterday, over the killings in the area.

In a statement, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Mr. Solom Iorpev, said: “The curfew shall be observed from 6pm to 6am beginning from July 4, 2024 until further notice.’’

No fewer than six persons had been reportedly killed on Monday night in Ayati settlement by a suspected armed gang in the local government area.

The house of the traditional ruler of Borikyo, Chief Myaga Unongo, was set ablaze in the protest that followed after the killing.

An eyewitness said the figure could be more because soldiers deployed to the area have also gunned down two rioters who burnt down the Zakibiam residence of Chief of Staff to the Governor, Paul Biam.

Also burnt was the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) local government office in Ukum

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A victim of the crisis, who escaped from Ayati to Zakibiam, the headquarters of Ukum Local Government  Area,Tyowua Iorbee, told The Nation that trouble started when some armed youths stormed Ayati community about 11pm on Monday and killed six persons among them a woman.

Yesterday, youths in Ayati took the six bodies in vehicles and protested at the council Secretariat in Sankera, Zakibiam.

Iorbee said: “They brought the bodies in Toyota vehicles popular called, “ Dog nyash” and forced their way into the Secretariat of the Local Government in Sankera, and set the Health Department blaze, and later the house of the traditional ruler of Borikyo, Chief Myaga Unongo, located near the Secretariat ablaze.

He said it was while the protesters moved into Zakibiam to set the house of the Chief Of Staff to the governor that soldiers intervened and shot sporadically into the air.

Two people, who were hit by the stray bullets, died on the spot.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, has confirmed this in a statement, adding that no casualty was recorded.

He however said the commission lost a number of valuable property in the fire, adding that security agents have been notified of the development.

The statement reads: “The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Benue State, Professor Sam Egwu, has reported that our Local Government Area office in Sankara, headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area, has been attacked and burnt down.

“The incident occurred at 2pm today, Wednesday, 3rd July 2024, when the youths in the area said to be protesting against the activities of bandits attacked facilities of government agencies, including INEC.

“Although no casualties were reported, the building has been extensively damaged. Office furniture and other movable and immovable materials, including 10 electric generators, 300 ballot boxes and 270 voting cubicles, were destroyed in the attack.

“The attention of security agencies has drawn to the incident and they have already deployed their personnel to the area.’’