Benue State has once again been plunged into mourning as at least 15 people have been gruesomely killed in a fresh wave of attacks by suspected armed herders in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. The coordinated assaults, which spanned multiple communities, left a trail of bloodshed, destruction, and displacement.
The nightmare began on Friday when the assailants stormed Utange council ward, slaughtering residents and leaving several others wounded. The horror escalated on Saturday night as the attackers advanced to Kpav, targeting the villages of Dikpo and Imande Gberihwa, where they set homes ablaze, razed food supplies, and sent terrified villagers fleeing into the night.
By Sunday, the once-thriving communities had been reduced to desolate ghost towns, with dozens reported missing and countless families left in anguish.
Reacting to the carnage, Governor Hyacinth Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, strongly condemned the attacks and vowed that the perpetrators would not escape justice.
“The governor expresses his profound condolences to the families of the casualties and the entire community of Kpav, particularly Dikpo and Imande Gberihwa, following the vicious attack by marauding armed herdsmen,” the statement read.
Governor Alia lamented that the killings were a painful reminder of the unrelenting security challenges confronting his administration, vowing that such barbarity would not be tolerated.
Reassuring the people of Benue, Governor Alia emphasized his commitment to restoring peace and security in the affected areas.
“We are working closely with security agencies and community leaders to ensure our people can live without fear of terrorism. The security of our citizens is our utmost priority,” the statement affirmed.
The governor called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, stressing that lasting peace could only be achieved through collective efforts.
Meanwhile, security forces have been deployed to the affected areas, with assurances of intensified operations to track down the killers and prevent further bloodshed.
Benue, often referred to as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” has become a recurring theater of violence, with armed herders and bandits launching frequent attacks on agrarian communities. The latest bloodbath underscores the urgent need for stronger security interventions, intelligence gathering, and decisive government action to halt the unending cycle of terror.
As families mourn their dead and displaced villagers seek refuge, the question remains: When will the reign of terror end?
PIONEER NEWS 