Fresh Attack: Armed Herdsmen Invade Communities in Benue, Residents Flee Amid Gunfire

Suspected armed herders have launched another wave of violence in Benue State, attacking several communities in the Ukum Local Government Area. The assault, which began around 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, has thrown the area into chaos, forcing residents to flee for their lives.

According to reports gathered by SaharaReporters, the gunmen, believed to be herdsmen armed with AK-47 rifles, stormed the communities in broad daylight and opened fire indiscriminately.

“As we speak, they have blocked the roads and started killing people. This is confirmed. Please, Nigerians should help us—we urgently need security forces to intervene,” a distressed resident told SaharaReporters.

This latest attack comes just hours after earlier reports of a similar invasion in the same region. The spate of violence highlights the worsening security situation in Benue State, where communities have been under siege in recent weeks due to frequent attacks by suspected herdsmen.

Local authorities are yet to issue an official statement, but calls for urgent deployment of security personnel are growing louder as fear grips the affected areas.