There was panic on Sunday afternoon as suspected herdsmen clashed with military personnel near the Ortese Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
Eyewitnesses reported that heavy gunfire was heard around Tse Asha and Ukange villages, just two kilometers from the IDP camp, where hundreds of displaced persons have been taking shelter following past attacks in the area.
A local resident, Zege Orkwande, said the gun battle caused fear among villagers, many of whom fled into nearby bushes or locked themselves indoors for safety.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the military or the Benue State Police Command regarding the incident. Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
Benue State has experienced several violent attacks in recent years, often linked to clashes between herders and local farming communities. The Ortese IDP camp hosts victims of such past incidents, making this recent confrontation especially worrying for residents.
Many in the area are now calling for increased security presence to prevent further violence and protect vulnerable communities.
