Youths from Bigwa village in Mbayenge district, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, showed extraordinary bravery when they resisted and overpowered a group of suspected bandits who invaded their community in the early hours of Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
The attackers, believed to be part of an armed criminal gang, reportedly stormed the village at about 2:00 a.m., intending to unleash mayhem. But local youths, who had been keeping watch due to previous threats, quickly mobilised to defend their homes.
In the confrontation that followed, one of the attackers was caught by the villagers after a scuffle, while other members of the gang fled into the bush, some reportedly with gunshot or machete wounds.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers came armed with weapons and tried to move through the village undetected under the cover of darkness. However, a few residents who heard unusual movements alerted local youth groups, who responded swiftly.
“We refused to run. We decided to face them,” said one of the community members who gave his name simply as Terna. “God helped us. We managed to grab one of them. The rest ran away when they saw we were serious.”
During the clash, several youths sustained minor injuries, including cuts and bruises, but no deaths were reported.
The captured bandit, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, was taken into custody by local security operatives and later handed over to the police for proper investigation.
The incident comes amid ongoing concerns over rising insecurity in parts of Benue State, especially in rural communities within Ukum, Katsina-Ala, and Logo LGAs, where bandits and armed militias have carried out several deadly attacks in recent years.
Local leaders have continued to call on the state and federal government to provide better security support, especially in remote villages vulnerable to such surprise raids.
Reacting to the event, a community elder, Chief Aondongu Mkor, praised the bravery of the youths but warned that such resistance cannot replace professional policing.
“We are proud of our boys, but the truth is that we cannot continue like this. These bandits are armed and dangerous. Next time, we might not be so lucky. We need military or police presence here,” he said.
He also urged the Benue State Government to deploy more security forces and help equip local vigilantes with tools for surveillance and self-defence.
In recent months, villages in Ukum LGA have been under threat from criminal gangs believed to be operating from nearby forests and ungoverned border areas between Benue and Taraba States.
These gangs are known to engage in kidnapping, cattle rustling, extortion, and night raids on villages. Residents of Bigwa and neighbouring communities have become increasingly vigilant, often sleeping in groups or forming night patrols to watch for suspicious movements.
A youth leader, Yav Anyebe, said the attack on Tuesday was not the first attempt by the gang to strike.
“This is the third time this year. They come at night when we are asleep. But now we stay ready. If we don’t protect our village, who will?” he said.
When contacted, the Benue State Police Command confirmed that a suspect had been handed over by community members. However, they declined to give details about the suspect’s identity or group affiliation, stating that investigations are ongoing.
“We commend the vigilance of the people. The suspect is in our custody and will assist us with information that could lead to the arrest of others.”
The police also urged other communities facing similar threats to report suspicious activity early and avoid taking the law completely into their hands.
As insecurity continues to affect farming, education, and business activities in the region, many locals are calling on the Federal Government, security agencies, and the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to come to their aid.
Already, some residents of Bigwa have begun relocating to neighbouring villages for safety, fearing another attack.
“If the government does not act now, we may become internally displaced people in our own state,” lamented Mama Dooshima, a widow with four children who plans to move to Zaki-Biam.
