Suspected herdsmen attack leaves villagers dead, homes destroyed in Benue state

Suspected herdsmen launched a vicious attack on the Ugbobi hamlet in Benue State’s Apa Local Government Area, causing many casualties and significant damage.

Homes were set on fire and food supplies were taken, and there were reports of villager deaths and injuries during the attack.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, security personnel were conspicuously absent from the scene, leaving the community vulnerable.

Residents, such as Eric Amodu, highlighted the apparent conspiracy of silence surrounding the incident and expressed frustration at the lack of assistance.

In response to the rising violence, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State chastised Governor Hyacinth Alia’s handling of the security situation. The party cited recent attacks in several local government areas as evidence of the urgent need for decisive action to address the root causes of the unrest.

According to the PDP, attributing the attacks solely to cattle rustling fails to address the root cause of the conflict, which is herdsmen’s violation of open grazing laws.

Furthermore, the PDP expressed concerns about the adequate logistical support provided to security agencies, emphasising the importance of strong measures to combat insurgency effectively.

The party called on Governor Alia to prioritise Benue residents’ safety and collaborate with stakeholders to address the state’s security challenges.

As the community deals with the aftermath of the attack, concerns remain about the government’s ability to protect vulnerable populations and restore peace in the region.