The death toll from the recent coordinated attacks by suspected herdsmen on Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State has climbed to 20, following continued search efforts by security operatives and local residents.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, confirmed the updated casualty figures during a phone interview with Channels Television on Saturday.
He revealed that five bodies were initially recovered in Gbagir and deposited in the mortuary, while two additional corpses were later found by residents searching for missing loved ones.
The governor added that a grieving family in Gbagir was granted permission by security operatives to conduct a brief burial for a relative.
In Logo Local Government Area, the police recovered 12 bodies, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 20.
The attacks are believed to be part of a coordinated assault across the Sankera axis of the state.
Governor Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing lives and property and urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to help tackle insecurity.
The Benue State Police Command also addressed the situation in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Sewuese Anene.
She confirmed that a group of armed militias had invaded the Sankera axis and were repelled by tactical police units, who engaged them in Gbagir.
“Upon receiving intelligence about a potential attack in Gbagir, Ukum LGA, the Commissioner of Police, CP Steve H. Yabanet, deployed tactical teams to the area to support existing security operatives. During the confrontation, five people were found dead and later confirmed at the hospital,” the statement read.
The police noted that a simultaneous attack in Logo claimed 12 more lives before security agents arrived at the scene, bringing Friday’s total to 17. With further discoveries by Saturday, the total confirmed death toll has now risen to 20.
Security operations are ongoing, with the attackers reportedly retreating towards forested areas bordering Taraba State.
The police have also warned social media users against spreading unverified or inciting information that could heighten public tension.
Meanwhile, recent attacks have also rocked Otukpo Local Government Area. In February, suspected herdsmen launched simultaneous assaults on Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju communities, killing five.
These attacks occurred just a day after 11 people were reportedly killed in Otobi, another community in Otukpo.