By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Several people were, on Sunday, feared dead following deadly attacks on multiple communities in Ukum Local Council of Benue State by suspected armed herdsmen.
This is as Governor Hyacinth Alia vowed that the people of Benue state will never be intimidated into yielding any portion of their ancestral land.
Many homes and properties were completely destroyed during the coordinated attacks allegedly carried out by several motorcycle-riding herders.
According to locals, the attacks which began in the wee hours of Sunday, August 16, 2026, affected no fewer than six communities within the Council.
The attackers reportedly shot sporadically, and torched several homes, in Ayaba, Ukpen, Bom, Ikpur, Aboajio and Yina Communities in Mbaterem area of Ukum Local Government Area, with several people believed to have been killed, while an overwhelming number of people sustained gunshots injuries.
Hundreds of others, including women and children fled their homes. Many are trapped in bushes.
According to the Chairman of Ukum Local Council, Jonathan Modi, although the situation has been controlled by the swift intervention of security operatives, he noted that the Communities are still counting their loses, with several people feared killed.
He explained that the number of casualties are not yet certain, as dead bodies were still being recovered as at 5 pm Sunday, and the injured being rushed to hospitals.
This is as he commended security agencies for their swift intervention which he said has brought about normalcy to the affected communities.
“The security responded immediately to the attacks. Sadly ,there were casualties. But we are still at the scenes moving those wounded to the hospital, and we have recovered some bodies.
“More security operatives have been deployed to the areas where there are perceived threats”, Modi stated .
In a statement on Sunday from Tersoo Kula, his spokesperson, the Benue State Governor, while appreciating security personnel for their timely intervention, blamed the unfortunate incident on suspected herdsmen.
He warned that those working hard to frustrate peace efforts in the state will eventually be disappointed.
The Governor noted that the attackers invaded Mbaterem in Ayaba, Ikpur ,Yina ,Aboajio and Ukpen communities, where they killed some residents, and injured many.
“Benue lands are for Benue people. Anyone who thinks attacking us will intimidate us to leave the land is making a mistake.
“I took an oath to protect our people ,and I will not relent. I must appreciate the fact that the Federal Government is advancing a lot of support for us to tackle these acts of terrorism, Alia stated .
While blaming armed herdsmen for the attack, Governor Alia called on the people to remain calm, and vigilante, as well as volunteering timely and credible information to security agencies in their efforts to tackle the security challenges.
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