In a series of violent attacks, numerous lives were lost in the Azege settlement and other communities within Tombo council ward, Adabo, and Tse Gwebe in the Logo and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas of Benue State. The suspected bandits launched these assaults between Sunday morning and early Monday.
According to local residents, the assailants, suspected to be militia from Nasarawa State, invaded Azege village and its surroundings on Sunday morning. Joseph Anawah, a community leader in Logo LGA, reported that the attackers, numbering over 300, wielded sophisticated weapons and overwhelmed local security forces. It took the intervention of a military jet to force their retreat.
Anawah noted that the invaders, possibly hired from neighboring countries due to their distinct appearance, launched their attack at around 7 am. Despite visible presence to locals, the sheer number and armament of the attackers rendered local security efforts futile until military intervention.
By the time of this report, over 20 bodies had been recovered, with searches ongoing for missing persons. Clement Kev, Chairman of Logo LGA, confirmed the assault, stating that 17 bodies had been found and 37 individuals seriously injured. He pointed out that the herdsmen involved in the attack were claiming ownership of land belonging to Tombo.
A second attack occurred in the early hours of Monday, resulting in 10 additional fatalities. Justine Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, reported that heavily armed marauders stormed Adabo village and Tse Gwebe settlement, destroying property and looting household items during their raid.
Shaku confirmed that the armed assailants, suspected to be herder marauders, attacked around 2 am, leaving behind a trail of destruction and death. The Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, Catherine Anene, verified the attack on Logo LGA, confirming the recovery of five bodies but has yet to comment on the Katsina-Ala incident.
