At Least 10 K+lled, Over 15 Inj¥red as Suspected Armed Herdsmen Att@ck Benue Community

No fewer than 10 people were reportedly k+lled and over 15 others inj¥red after suspected armed herdsmen att@cked Sai community in Mbajir Council Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State in the early hours of Wednesday.

Residents said the att@ckers stormed the community at about 1 a.m., opening fire on villagers while they slept, causing panic as many fled. They alleged the ass@ilants came from neighbouring Taraba State armed with AK-47 rifles. Several residents were also reported missing as search efforts continued.

Most of the inj¥red were taken to NKST Hospital in Sai, while those with critical inj¥ries were to be referred to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

The att@ck comes less than a week after the k+lling of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ardo Risku Muhammad, who was ambushed while returning from a security meeting.

Katsina-Ala LGA Chairman, Justine Shaku, confirmed the att@ck and said he was in Sai to assess the situation. The Benue State Police Command had yet to comment as its spokesperson could not be reached.

Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the att@ck, describing it as a senseless and cowardly assa¥lt allegedly carried out by “terr%rists masquerading as herdsmen.” 

He said the att@ckers were trying to disrupt farming and food security, extended condolences to the victims’ families, ordered additional security deployment, a manhunt for the att@ckers, stronger protection for farmers, and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements.