No fewer than 10 people are feared dead and several others injured following attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State on Sunday.

The attacks reportedly occurred in parts of Mbazun Mbaterem, including Tse Yawe, Ikpuu (Kpuu), Ter Ukum Orkaa Kaave and Tse Kyaave communities, forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes for neighbouring communities.

However, the Benue State Police Command confirmed three deaths and four injuries in the attack.

The Command, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, said the incident occurred at about 7am at Aboajo Village, Mbateren Mbazum Council Ward, Ukum LGA.

The statement read: “The Benue State Police Command confirms that an attack occurred today, August 16, 2026, at about 7am, at Aboajo Village, Mbateren Mbazum Council Ward, Ukum LGA.

“Three persons were killed in the attack, while four others sustained machete injuries and were rescued to a medical facility for treatment.

“The Command has deployed additional tactical and patrol teams to the area and is making concerted efforts to apprehend the perpetrators. Monitoring and security operations are ongoing.”

However, sources in the affected communities claimed that the casualty figure could be higher, with about 10 persons allegedly killed in what they described as coordinated attacks.

A local farmer, who identified himself simply as Mbaane, alleged that more than 300 armed men entered the area from the Wukari axis of neighbouring Taraba State.

He said the attackers invaded the communities at about 6:30am and moved from one settlement to another, shooting at residents.

“The people who carried out the attack were more than 300 and they were armed herdsmen who were alleged to have come from Wukari axis of Taraba State.

“They were shooting people and moving from one community to another. It was like a huge army of armed herdsmen who came just to kill without any provocation from their victims.

“We learnt that about 10 persons lost their lives and many others sustained injuries during the attack. Luckily, the army and police personnel engaged them and made efforts to repel them. Though they came in large numbers, the effort of the army helped to save the lives of many,” he said.

The attacks reportedly affected several communities in Mbazun Ward, with residents fleeing their homes amid fears of further attacks.

Reacting to the incident, Governor Hyacinth Alia commended security agencies for their intervention and assured residents that his administration would continue to support efforts to protect lives and property across the state.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor said suspected terrorists “masquerading as herdsmen” had invaded and attacked residents of Mbaterem in Ayaba, Ikpur, Yina, Aboajio and Ukpen communities of Mbazun Ward.

Alia condoled with the families of those killed and sympathised with the injured, while assuring security agencies of the state government’s support to protect residents.

The governor warned against attempts to frustrate the peace process in the state, declaring: “Benue lands for Benue people. Anyone who thinks attacking us will intimidate us to leave the land is making a mistake.”

He added: “I took an oath to protect our people, and I will not relent. I must appreciate the fact that the Federal Government is advancing a lot of support for us to tackle these acts of terrorism.”

Alia urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies, stressing that timely information was crucial to preventing attacks.

“Like I always say, you must all remain vigilant and always ensure that you forward information on suspicious movements around you. This is the only way we can be able to effectively tackle these criminals,” he said.

The governor directed security agencies to maintain their presence in strategic areas across the state and confront what he described as “enemies of the state” bent on undermining peace.

He assured residents that his administration would not relent in efforts to secure communities as security personnel continued operations to track down those responsible for the attacks. (Vanguard)

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