A fresh wave of violence has struck Benue State, leaving at least seven people dead and several others injured following a two-day attack by suspected armed herdsmen on Channel One community in Logo Local Government Area.
The assault, which began over the weekend and continued into Monday afternoon, targeted the border settlement along the Arufu–Wukari road in Ukemberagya/Tswarev Council Ward, throwing residents into panic and forcing many to flee their homes.
A community leader, who spoke anonymously, said the attackers stormed the area in large numbers on motorcycles, opening fire indiscriminately on residents.
“The attack started over the weekend and continued into Monday afternoon. Seven persons have been confirmed dead, while several others sustained life-threatening injuries, so the number of casualties may rise,” the source said.
According to the source, the injured were taken to medical facilities in Anyiin town, while about seven victims in critical condition were transferred to Ugba for urgent treatment.
He added that the attackers were heavily armed and operated in coordinated groups, raising suspicions that they may be using Shaor, a previously deserted village flagged in intelligence reports, as a hideout.
The incident has triggered mass displacement, with residents of Channel One and neighbouring communities abandoning their homes over fears of further attacks.
The community leader called for urgent intervention by security agencies, urging intensified clearance operations in suspected hideouts and stronger border surveillance across Benue and neighbouring Nasarawa and Taraba states.
“There is a need for coordinated clearance operations to dislodge suspected camps in Shaor and other deserted settlements. Security agencies must also collaborate across state borders to monitor movements and prevent further attacks,” he said.
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Logo Local Government Area, Clement Kav, said seven people were killed while four others were injured during the attack, which he noted occurred between late Saturday and Sunday night.
“They usually come, attack, and retreat to where they came from,” Kav said, adding that he had informed the Commissioner of Police and the state’s Adviser on Homeland Security.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Udeme Edet, said the command had yet to receive official details of the incident as of the time of filing this report.
