Widespread outrage continues to trail the incessant killings in Nigeria, particularly in Benue State, where armed marauders have intensified violent attacks on rural communities.

The situation has attracted global condemnation, with United States President Donald Trump threatening to authorize air strikes to halt the killings of Christians in parts of the country.

Despite this international attention, the attacks have not abated. Instead, the perpetrators appear emboldened, launching fresh assaults on vulnerable communities in Benue State. However, the attacks had no religious undertones but just armed herders attacking indigenes.

In the aftermath of the Yelwata massacre, which reportedly claimed over 200 lives in a single attack, President Bola Tinubu issued firm directives to security agencies to end the violence.

Unfortunately, these orders have yielded little success. The state has continued to witness a disturbing escalation in attacks, leaving residents traumatized and fearful.

Security operatives have also paid a heavy price. Several officers have lost their lives while attempting to defend communities from heavily armed assailants.

Observers say the attackers seem determined to drive indigenous people from their ancestral lands, fueling suspicion of a calculated campaign to take over Benue territories.

This troubling trend has persisted and in the last one months no fewer than 17 deaths were recorded in attacks launched on Benue communities.

Available records indicated that on October 18, armed herdsmen reportedly seized farmlands and residential areas in the Dyom settlement of Ukum Local Government Area. Witnesses say camps were set up, and locals were forcefully displaced.

Barely nine days later, on October 27, tragedy struck along the Otukpo-Ohimini axis. A personnel of the Nigeria Forest and Hunters Services, Abechi Oche, and Police Inspector Akpan Ogbole of Operation Zenda were killed in a stop-and-search duty.

The attackers were said to have carted away their service weapons, further increasing fears that sophisticated arms are being stockpiled for more assaults.

On October 28, the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Vitalis Neji, narrowly escaped death after armed herders ambushed his convoy on his way from an official engagement.

Although the chairman escaped unhurt, the ambush claimed two lives and left several others severely injured, underscoring the worsening security situation.

The following day, October 29, Mberev Council Ward on the Benue?Taraba border was reportedly attacked as the marauders attempted to seize control of the community, killing seven residents.

On November 1, the violence continued. Former councillor of Tombo Council Ward, Mr. Atindiga Tsebee, was ambushed and killed along the Ayilamo?Anyiin road while returning from a security meeting.

Sources disclosed that a member of the Benue State House of Assembly was part of the convoy but escaped unharmed, further highlighting the boldness of the attackers.

That same day, armed herders allegedly set ablaze a rice farm valued at over ? 20 million at Tse Orbiam in Gwer West Local Government Area.

Residents had tried to prevent cattle from grazing on the farm, prompting the assailants to retaliate by torching the sprawling farmland.

On November 3, four persons were gruesomely murdered in Anwule community, located in Oglewu, Ohimini Local Government Area. Several others were critically injured in the attack.

Barely 24 hours later, on November 4, a barber identified as Thomas Edeh was killed while working on his farm in Rijo community, Ogege Council Ward of Ado Local Government Area.

Community leaders say the frequency of these attacks proves that the marauders have become increasingly relentless in their campaign of terror.

Even with international condemnation and threats of external intervention, the killings in Benue State have continued unabated, leaving residents in a perpetual state of mourning and fear. (Saturday Vanguard)

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