In yet another violent episode highlighting Nigeria’s growing security crisis, suspected armed herders unleashed terror on communities in Benue State’s Gwer East Local Government Area, killing four individuals, including a notable chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akaabo Johnson.
The gunmen attack, which occurred on Tuesday evening around 4:35 pm, targeted the Mbatsada communities within Mbalom and Mbasombo council wards. According to local eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed the area in a commando-style invasion and opened fire indiscriminately, leaving residents scrambling for safety amid chaos and bloodshed.
Confirming the tragic incident during a telephone interview on Wednesday, the Chairman of Gwer East LGA, Hon. Timothy Adi, described the assault as “unprovoked and coordinated,” lamenting that it marks the second deadly invasion by armed herders in the local government area in just two weeks.
“Four dead bodies, including an elder of the APC in the ward, were recovered and have been deposited at St. Gregory Hospital morgue,” Adi stated.
He commended the swift intervention of Governor Hyacinth Alia, who promptly ordered the deployment of security personnel to the affected areas in a bid to curb further violence and protect the lives of remaining residents. Adi noted that security forces are now stationed along the local government boundary lines to monitor and neutralize any threats.
“I urge our people, especially the youth, to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security agencies. We must not allow fear to dominate us. This tragedy will not define us. We will rise stronger and more united,” he added.
Despite the heightened tension in the region, efforts to reach the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, proved unsuccessful. Calls to her phone went unanswered, and she did not respond to text messages at the time of filing this report.
The attack underscores the worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, a region long plagued by herder-farmer conflicts, land disputes, and ethnoreligious tensions. Gwer East, like many other parts of Benue State, has suffered frequent assaults, with farming communities often caught in the crossfire.
The killing of Akaabo Johnson, a respected political leader and APC elder in the region, adds a political dimension to the growing insecurity, stirring fears about the safety of public figures in volatile areas. Political observers warn that unless urgent measures are taken, the violence could erode public confidence in governance and disrupt democratic participation at the grassroots level.
In recent years, Benue State has recorded hundreds of casualties from clashes involving suspected armed herdsmen. Despite multiple military operations and government interventions, attacks continue, leaving communities devastated and displaced.
Local leaders and human rights advocates are calling on the Federal Government to increase its presence and action in Benue State. They argue that mere deployment of personnel is not enough, stressing the need for intelligence-led operations, sustainable peace dialogues, and stronger law enforcement.
“This is not just a Benue problem—it is a national security emergency,” said Dr. Felix Tor, a security analyst based in Makurdi. “The government must move from reactive deployments to preventive strategies. These communities deserve more than condolences; they deserve protection and justice.”
As investigations continue and communities mourn, residents in Gwer East are calling for lasting peace, accountability for the perpetrators, and a reinvigorated commitment to ending the cycle of violence that has plagued Benue for too long.