Amos Aar, With Agency Report
GOVERNOR Hyacinth Alia of Benue said 56 bodies have been recovered in Ugondo, Logo and Tyuluv, Gbagir in Ukum LGAs following the coordinated attacks on the communities by suspected armed herdsmen.
Alia disclosed this when he visited Logo and Ukum LGAs on Saturday for an on-the spot assessment of the area after attacks on Friday night.
The Benue State Police Command, however gave a contrary figure of 17 killed following the attacks by the alleged armed militia groups. The attacks, which occurred on the night of Wednesday, April 17, targeted areas in Ukum and Logo LGAs.
According to a statement from the Benue State Police Command, the assault began around 9pm, with Gbagir community in Ukum LGA identified as one of the primary targets.
Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr Steve H. Yabanet, said he has directed tactical units to reinforce local officers and work alongside other security agencies to counter the attackers.
Recovered bodies
Speaking to journalists after the inspection, Governor Alia confirmed that so far 56 corpses have been recovered in Logo and Ukum after the attacks.
The governor said there was possibility of the figure increasing in Ukum because more search is still ongoing.
He regretted that his people were strategically attacked at the beginning of the farming season to hinder them from farming.
Alia said urgent action must be taken to address the ugly development.
“Early hours of today, we understood that more bodies were being picked up in Logo LGA resulting to 27 corpses. So, we lost 27 lives in Logo LGA. So far, we are talking about 56 lives lost in just one night. This is quite devastating.
“The Federal Government support is very enormous; the security team has been working seriously nonstop. But for this to still happen, something drastic, something strategic has to come to play.
“How can you explain that two months ago, we came to this town and people were quite settled and overnight it is calculated, it is planned, targeted attacks.
“And then many more were picked up in some axis in Ukum and those for now are 29. Many more are surely expected because as we went there, they were asking for some protection to get back to see how they can retrieve some bodies. So, the numbers might even go up.
“I’m calling on the Federal Government to support us, to come to our aid and promptly too. We simply need the support and help of the Federal Government immediately,” Alia said
Alia further commended the security agencies for their sacrifices to ensure that Benue has peace, adding that there was every need for more reinforcements.
The governor sympathised with the families that lost their loved ones as a result of the attacks, and promised to take care of their burial and the medical bills of those in the hospital.
Also, the member, representing Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo, Prince Solomon Wombo, said though the military were in the constituency for 12 years there were still attacks and killings.
Wombo lamented the insecurity situation in the area and appealed to the Federal Government to establish a military barrack in the area to protect his constituents from armed herdsmen and bandits. “What borders me again is that we have soldiers in this axis for 12 years and the attacks have not abated at any point in time.”
Chairman, Logo LGC, Mr Clement Ungwachikar, and Mue Ter Ugondo, Chief Peter Iorhuna, thanked the governor for the swift response in coming to identify with them over the attacks.
The governor was accompanied by the heads of security agencies in the state, including the commissioner of Police, DSS, NSCDC, Operation Whirl Stroke, Home Land Security, Civil Protection Guards among others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the affected communities were deserted with armed Police personnel seen patrolling in the LGAs.
NAN reports that those who fled the areas have now taken refuge in Zaki-Biam and Ugba IDP camps.
Counter-offensive
The police reported ongoing engagements with the assailants, who are believed to be retreating toward forested areas near the Benue-Taraba border.
Authorities have cautioned the public against circulating unverified information on social media, warning that misinformation could hinder security operations and incite panic.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Anene Sewuese Catherine, dismissed social media claims suggesting that over 100 people had been killed and that numerous villages were overtaken.
“Hearsay is not news,” she said in a statement to journalists via WhatsApp. “Who is there to count dead bodies? It is the security agents who are in the field.”
When asked to comment on allegations that security personnel had fled during the siege, the PPRO declined to respond. She also refuted claims regarding the number of villages attacked, questioning the credibility of sources disseminating such information.
“With the level of information that circulated prior to the attack, would civilians still be present in those numbers?” she asked.
Despite the official position, local sources continue to report a higher number of casualties and affected villages.
Names of victims and affected communities – including Tse-Gube Adaka, Tse-Dajo, Tse-Shawa, Tse-Shenge, Tse-Ahula, Karmen, Tse-Wuese, Tse-Amakwa, and Tse-Zwaikyaa – have been shared on social media by residents.
Additional villages such as Tse-Igbila, Tse-Bako, Tachia, Aberacha, and Tse-Ankon are also reported to have been impacted, with several casualties yet to be accounted for.
The Benue State Police Command urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security personnel as operations to restore order continue.
