At least seven people have been killed in a deadly attack on Agbo Vengav Udam community, located in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State. The attack, carried out by suspected armed herders, occurred on Thursday night, leaving the village in mourning and residents in fear.
Reports indicate that the attackers stormed the village around 7 p.m., opening fire indiscriminately on the unsuspecting community members. The gunmen killed seven people on the spot and abducted three others, creating widespread panic in the area.
A local source, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, revealed that the assailants entered the community through a border village in Otukpo Local Government Area. “They passed through the border village of Otukpo and entered Agbo. Once there, they shot their guns sporadically, killing the seven people immediately. They also took away three others with them,” the witness explained.
The killings were particularly harrowing, with reports stating that an infant was among those killed. The baby’s mother was reportedly abducted by the attackers during the raid. The brutality of the attack has left the community in shock and fear.
As of Friday, five of the bodies had been deposited in a morgue in Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West LGA, while the families of the remaining two victims chose to bury their loved ones without delay, fearing further violence or harassment.
The attack has caused a mass exodus of residents from Agbo Vengav Udam, as many are afraid of further attacks. The fear of violence has led many families to abandon their homes, seeking safety elsewhere. “People are scared and are leaving their homes. They don’t know what will happen next,” one resident noted.
The Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area, Victor Ormin, confirmed the incodent. Ormin expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity in the area, particularly the increasing frequency of attacks by suspected herders. “It is true that scores of people were killed in Vengav Udam village on Thursday night. This attack is coming just after two commercial vehicles were hijacked by gunmen and 14 passengers were abducted,” Ormin said.
He went on to lament the situation, which he described as “unbearable.” “Two people who were critically injured during the attack are currently receiving treatment at the Naka hospital. The situation is becoming increasingly difficult to manage, as these armed herders continue to wreak havoc in our local government and across the state,” he added.
The council chairman’s comments highlight the growing concerns about the activities of armed herders in Benue State. Over the past few years, the state has witnessed a rise in attacks by suspected herders, leading to significant loss of life and property. These attacks have caused many communities to live in constant fear, with people no longer feeling safe in their own homes.
This attack in Agbo Vengav Udam follows a troubling pattern of violence linked to herders in the region. Just hours before the raid, two commercial vehicles were intercepted about three kilometers from Naka, and 14 passengers were abducted. These incidents underscore the escalating crisis in the state, where violence has become a daily concern for many residents.
As the people of Gwer West LGA continue to grapple with the trauma of the attack, there are growing calls for more robust security measures to protect vulnerable communities in Benue State. Residents are calling for increased patrols, stronger law enforcement, and swift justice for the victims of these senseless killings.
The situation in Gwer West LGA is just one example of the larger security challenges facing Benue State, where clashes between farmers and herders, as well as attacks by armed groups, have been a persistent issue. The Benue government, along with local and federal authorities, is under increasing pressure to find a lasting solution to the insecurity that has plagued the region for years.
For now, the families of the victims, the community, and the state at large are left to mourn the loss of seven lives, with many more in the area fearful of what may come next.
