Tragedy in Benue State: Over 30 Feared Dead in Renewed Attacks by Suspected Herdsmen in Gwer West and Apa LGAs
In a devastating incident that has once again shaken Benue State, more than 30 persons are feared dead following coordinated and brutal attacks by suspected armed herdsmen in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) on Sunday, June 2, 2025.
According to official reports and eyewitness accounts, the attacks left at least 12 people dead in Apa LGA and 11 more in Gwer West LGA, bringing the confirmed death toll to 23, with several others still missing or critically injured. Authorities believe the final death count could rise as search and rescue operations continue.
The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, made the shocking confirmation during a press briefing after a high-level security meeting at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi.
“Twelve people were killed in Apa while 11 bodies were recovered in Gwer West local council, with those badly injured currently in the hospitals,” Governor Hyacinth Alia stated.
This latest round of violence has plunged the affected communities into mourning, and it adds to the growing insecurity challenges in the North-Central region of Nigeria, where Benue State has repeatedly suffered from unprovoked attacks by suspected herders over the years.
"We Are Living in Fear": Residents Displaced and Communities Destroyed
A local community leader, Modoom Patrick, painted a grim picture of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the aftermath of the attacks. He confirmed that many residents are still missing, and hundreds of others have been forced to flee their homes for fear of further violence.
“Many people are still missing while many others are displaced and are taking refuge at the primary school, where police personnel are providing security,” said Patrick.
The primary school in the area has now been turned into an emergency IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp, sheltering families who escaped the carnage with nothing but their lives. Many of the victims, including women and children, are in desperate need of food, water, medical care, and psychological support.
16 More Killed in Edikwu and Ankpali Communities of Apa LGA
As if the bloodshed wasn’t tragic enough, an additional 16 people were reportedly murdered in related attacks in Edikwu and Ankpali communities—also located within Apa LGA, worsening the total body count and raising serious questions about rural security in Benue State.
These attacks followed a similar pattern of surprise, violence, and destruction, where suspected herdsmen reportedly stormed the communities in the dead of night, opening fire indiscriminately, burning homes, and destroying farmland.
Local vigilantes and youths attempted to repel the invaders, but they were heavily outgunned, according to eyewitnesses. Some of the deceased are yet to be identified as villagers continue the grim task of burying loved ones and searching for those still unaccounted for.
Police Respond to Benue Herdsmen Attacks: Tactical Team Deployed
Confirming the attacks, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Udeme Edet, announced that the police force has deployed a tactical team to the affected communities to restore peace and prevent further escalation of violence.
“A tactical team has been deployed to the affected areas,” Edet confirmed.
Security sources say the team includes anti-terror squads, mobile policemen, and intelligence officers who are expected to comb the region, apprehend the perpetrators, and offer immediate support to the local population.
However, community leaders and civil society organizations argue that reactionary deployments are not enough, calling on the federal and state governments to take more proactive steps in ensuring the long-term safety of rural communities.
A Recurring Tragedy: Benue State Under Siege
Benue State is no stranger to violence. Over the past decade, it has become one of the epicenters of farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria. Thousands have lost their lives while many more have been displaced due to violent clashes between nomadic herdsmen and local farmers.
The persistent insecurity in Benue is fueled by land disputes, dwindling grazing reserves, climate change, weak law enforcement, and the proliferation of illegal firearms in the hands of non-state actors.
Despite multiple military operations and peace-building initiatives, the crisis continues to escalate, with Gwer West, Logo, Makurdi, and Agatu LGAs often being at the center of the worst violence.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Benue
Following the recent attacks, humanitarian aid groups have raised alarm over the growing needs of the displaced populations. Over 5,000 people have now taken shelter in makeshift camps across Apa and Gwer West LGAs.
Health services are overwhelmed. Many injured victims are currently being treated in Makurdi General Hospital and smaller primary healthcare centers with limited supplies and staff.
Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are the most vulnerable. Food scarcity, trauma, and fear of another attack continue to weigh heavily on the displaced communities.
Nigerians React: "Enough is Enough"
Across social media, Nigerians have reacted with shock, anger, and frustration over the continued killings in Benue. Hashtags like #BenueMassacre, #StopTheKillings, and #SecureBenueNow have trended on Twitter and Facebook.
Civil society groups such as the Benue Indigenous Rights Forum (BIRF) and Concerned Nigerians Coalition have called for a state of emergency in the region and international attention to what they describe as a slow-motion genocide.
Governor Alia Calls for National Security Support
Governor Hyacinth Alia has pledged to intensify his government’s response to the crisis and called on the Federal Government, Nigerian Army, and Department of State Services (DSS) to increase their presence and intelligence-gathering operations in the state.
“We can’t allow our communities to continue living in fear. The perpetrators of these heinous acts must be brought to justice,” Alia insisted during the press briefing.
He also appealed to President Bola Tinubu’s administration to treat the security situation in Benue with urgency, pointing out that national stability depends on peace in the Middle Belt.
The Way Forward: Long-Term Solutions Needed
Experts argue that unless the root causes of the violence—such as land ownership disputes, climate migration, and weak border security—are addressed, these killings will not stop.
Some recommend the creation of state police, community-based conflict resolution, and investment in rural development as sustainable paths forward. Others say that Nigeria needs to ban open grazing, which has been a flashpoint for many of these violent encounters.
Conclusion: When Will It End?
The June 2nd attacks in Apa and Gwer West LGAs mark yet another dark day in Benue’s long struggle with insecurity. While authorities are responding, the question on everyone's mind remains—how many more must die before lasting peace is achieved?
As Nigeria watches and mourns, one thing is clear: the people of Benue deserve better. They deserve safety, justice, and a government that can guarantee both.
