Armed Herdsmen Kill 13 Benue Residents on Way to Church in Coordinated Attacks

Thirteen people were brutally killed in a suspected herdsmen attack on Sunday morning in Azege settlement, Mbaya, Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack occurred around 7 a.m., as residents were preparing to attend morning church service. The immediate past Caretaker Chairman of Logo LGA, Benjamin Uzenda, confirmed the incident and described the attack as “coordinated” and “planned.”

Uzenda reported that the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, opened fire on the villagers, shooting indiscriminately at the defenseless residents. Some victims were butchered after being shot, and the attack also targeted women and children. In addition to the killings, the assailants set fire to homes and destroyed farmlands and crops in the area.

The attackers reportedly operated for hours before fleeing the scene, just before security personnel arrived. The incident highlights the growing insecurity in Benue, where armed herdsmen have increasingly targeted communities.

Meanwhile, the Southern Kaduna region is also grappling with a new wave of attacks. On Sunday, the Ruruma community in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State, revealed the severe toll of banditry and kidnapping in the area.

In a statement signed by its National President, Mr. Daniel Dallah, the community disclosed that they had paid over N1 billion in ransoms to bandits and kidnappers. Tragically, 13 people have been killed, and more than 200 others have been abducted by the criminals.

The community expressed its vulnerability to frequent attacks, with bandits stealing valuables and openly threatening to return due to the absence of military presence.

In light of the escalating violence, the community has appealed to President Bola Tinubu’s administration to establish a military presence in Kwasam, the local government headquarters, in an effort to curb the rising killings and abductions in the area.