- Police Silence Deepens Concerns
By Amos Aar
BARELY days after the Benue State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Aondowase Kunde, publicly declared that calm had returned to communities across the state and that internally displaced persons (IDPs) were returning to their ancestral homes, renewed killings and sustained attacks in parts of Guma and Ukum LGAs are raising serious questions about the gap between government assurances and the realities on the ground, amid silence from the Benue State Police Command.
On Thursday, two persons were reportedly killed at Tse-Igbauke, Mbatiev, Saghev, in Guma LGA by suspected armed herdsmen.
Residents told our reporter that the attackers, said to be about forty (40) in number, stormed the community in the afternoon while grazing their cattle on farmlands. When villagers attempted to stop them, the herdsmen allegedly opened fire, killing two people and forcing residents to flee to Pevi market, where they took refuge.
Although youths in the area reportedly mounted a resistance, forcing the attackers to withdraw temporarily, residents said the assailants regrouped the following day, increasing fears in the community. As of the time of filing this report, the attackers were still said to be laying siege to the area.
The Benue State Police Command, through its Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), is yet to officially confirm the incident despite this reporter’s request for comment.
Similar distress signals are also emerging from Ukum LGA, where residents accuse armed herders of carrying out sustained attacks between Thursday and Saturday. A journalist and an indigene of the axis, Mr Joseph Anawah, provided detailed accounts of the situation.
“Today, January 8, 2026, reports indicate farmers were attacked and others were chased from their farmlands in Adogo village, Ugbaam council ward, Ukum LGA, Benue State. Armed Fulani herdsmen were seen destroying crops, including cassava, to feed cattle.
“Many people who attempted to resume farming activities in the area have started relocating, due to fear, and others are avoiding returning to their ancestral villages. The situation suggests the state is vulnerable, with no apparent response from the government or security agencies, specifically, on this issue of illegal migration of suspected terrorist in some parts of the state.
“The state security council should reassess strategies, potentially collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Defence for high-calibre security support, including air tactical components, to address hideouts in deep forest areas, with bad road network, and communication palavers.
“The state should expect further attacks if action isn’t taken, as incidents seem coordinated with neighbouring states shielding suspects. The Benue State government and security agencies must address these reports to prevent further unprovoked expected terrorist activities.”
In a further update, Anawah added: “Report received today, January 11, 2026, revealed that yesterday, January 10th, 2026, at about 12 noon, some people who went to harvest oranges at Tse Uyoo village, situated some few kilometres after Tse Kpeesi village, located along Adogo road, Ugbaam council ward, Ukum LGA, were attacked by armed Fulani herdsmen. One Mr. Orbuter Abua Agule had his hand cut during the incident. The attack appears unprovoked, with the herdsmen suddenly appearing while grazing in the area and chasing people out of their orchard farm.
This incident confirms reports of increased Fulani herdsmen presence in Benue State, often bearing sophisticated weapons, with inadequate security measures to prevent such attacks. More security presence is required, especially in border communities, to protect citizens and prevent further incidents.”
These reported attacks come against the backdrop of a viral video in which Commissioner Kunde, while addressing people of the state during 2025/206 festive gatherings, claimed that peace had largely returned to Benue communities.
Speaking in Tiv language, Kunde said: “Although those people were crying over insecurity, the governor has worked and now, this side where I am, all IDPs are resting. People have gone back to their houses.
“If you go to Tatyough in Makurdi local government, people have gone back. If you go to Aondoana in Gwer West local government, people have gone back home. If you go to Guma local government, people have gone back home. I’m calling the names of places as I am saying this because these are places where I am heading work.”
The comment caused hot reactions on social media, with many Nigerians, particularly Benue residents, accusing the commissioner of insensitivity and misrepresentation.
Terver Akase, a media aide to former governor Samuel Ortom, shared the video with a sarcastic remark: “I read that the Benue State Government, through the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has declared that all internally displaced persons (IDP) have returned to their ancestral homelands and peace has been restored across the state. This is very good news indeed! Congratulations, angom.”
The sarcastic comment by Akase was not debunked by the commissioner in the media.
Commentators flooded the comment section of Akase’s post with criticisms. Igbawua Kulekule Thaddeus wrote: “Please for those that are contesting for Governorship 2027 can they download this video to play anywhere they go out for campaign and there’s an idp camp? This w!ckedness cannot go in vain. This is very important”.
Shugabankasa Danieterver commented: “I never knew old men can confidently lie in public like this ooo”.
Jeffrey Keke stated: “These people are desperately insensitive to the plight of the people☹️”.
Dugeri Joseph added: “This [is a] total mocking of the people who have been displaced. 😭”.
Zaria Nathaniel wrote: “Hon. Sir, tell the man he is lying. Even last week, people were killed around Tatough. I know our politicians are waiting for America to come and end insecurity, then they will start boasting and giving credits to themselves. I never thought I will one day miss Ortom. But these jihadist government is making me wish Ortom was still governor at a time like this!”
Amid the outrage, Paku Boston Avalumun offered a different interpretation of the commissioner’s remarks, saying: “The man didn’t say IDP camps are empty. The measure of displaced persons have reduced in that some people have returned to their homes through the efforts of the governor. This is an acknowledgement of progress in building confidence that more will be done by the government to return more people to their homes”.
However, Avalumun’s position attracted strong rebuttals. Adoga Anthony replied, “Paku Boston Avalumun, am not tiv but am sorry to say looks like I understand tiv more than u”.
Abraham Mande responded: “Paku Boston Avalumun some of you can defend nonsense o.”
Iorfa Orshio also countered: “Paku Boston Avalumun a very good Mr interpreter but here in kwande none have gone to his or her own place”.
Betty Kukwa wrote: “Paku Boston Avalumun, the implication of his statement is that there is no one in IDP camp since he did not say some people have returned to their homes.”
Angur Justine Terhemba added bluntly: “Paku Boston Avalumun…., May God punish the two of you”.
As government officials speak of progress and calm, communities in Guma and Ukum say they are counting their dead, fleeing their farms and living in fear, while the police have yet to officially confirm the latest incidents. The widening gap between official narratives and citizens’ lived experiences continues to fuel public anger and deepen mistrust in Benue State.
