Suspected herdsmen kill 19 in Benue community attack

Tuesday, February 18, 2025 - At least 19 people were m8rdered in a fresh attack on some communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected armed herdsmen. 

It was gathered that the attack began on Saturday, February 15, 2025 when 16 farmers from Mbanduwa were waylaid by the armed herders on their way home and brutally m8rdered.

The assailants dumped their bodies into River Katsina-Ala, along Kashimbila road.

According to a Kwande indigene who did not want to be mentioned for fear of being k!lled, involved farmers from the Mbanduwa ward.

"The farmers were returning to their community in Mbanduwa ward when they were ambushed along the Kashimbila road and k!lled.” Their bodies were dropped in River Katsina Ala, he told Punch. 

It was gathered that the second attack happened on Monday afternoon, February 17, at Boaguwa in Kumakua council ward in the same Local Government Area which claimed three lives. 

The herders also razed St. Stephen Catholic Church, Zangwa, Nzaav.

Residents of communities within the area were reported to have fled to Jato Acka for safety. 

The President General of Mzough U Tiv Worldwide and leader of the three socio-cultural groups, (Mzough U Tiv, OchiitaK’idoma and Om’Ngede, a retired Comptroller of Prisons, Iorbee Ihagh, said that all the six council wards in Turan had been deserted. 

Ihagh who was at Jato Acka when he spoke to the publication on the telephone on Monday evening said that 16 farmers were killed on Saturday and their bodies thrown into River Katsina-Ala.

“I am right now in Jato Acka. I was told that 16 farmers were killed along the Kashimbila road at the weekend and their bodies were thrown into River Katsina-Ala,” he said. 

"As I am talking to you now, armed herders have attacked Boaguwa in Kumakua council ward, three dead bodies have been recovered.

“People have fled their communities and ran to Jato Acka. I doubt if this place (Jato Acka) is safe right now.”

Ihagh who claimed that all the six council wards in Turan in Kwande LGA had been overrun by suspected armed herders appealed to President Bola Tinubu to deploy more troops to the area.