Herdsmen Ambush: Six Killed, Scores Injured In Benue Community

IndependentMar 2, 2025Read original

– Armed herdsmen on Friday, ambushed and killed six youth of Tse Ugema Chul, Mbakesa, Ugbaam, community, in Ukum Local Government Areas (LGA) of Benue state, injuring many others.

Tse Ugema community is a few kilometres away from the Zaki-Biam International yam market. Zaki-Biam, is the headquarters of Ukum LGA.

INDEPENDENT also gathered that armed herdsmen equally attacked a community in Guma LGA of the state. However, details of the attacks are yet to emerge.

While the phone number of the Guma LGA, chairman, Maurice Orwough, was not connecting, the chairman Ukum LGA, Jonathan Modi, did not pick his calls to confirm the incident in Ukum LGA.

However, we learned that six corpses have been recovered from the attack on the youth in Ukum LGA, while several others were injured.

Our sources in the area stated that, trouble started when some herd strayed into some farmlands in the affected area and destroyed yams produce, thus compelling the youth to mobilize and go the herdsmen.

But we gathered that while the youth were headed towards cattle and their herdsmen, unknown to them some gunmen who had laid an ambush for them, opened fire and killed some of the youth in the process.

Another source further told us that as the attack was ongoing, the matter was reported to the military who were stationed at Wuaze, a community, not far from the troubled spot to intervene.

However, he lamented that on sighting the attackers and learning that they were herdsmen, the soldiers turned back and headed back for their camp.

The twin incidents followed the admittance of the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, on Friday, that indeed some communities in the state were still under siege, but his government was not resting on its oars to put the situation in check, adding that government would continue to explore every available means to ensure that absolute peace was restored in the state.

The governor admitted to this during the thanksgiving Mass of the Executive Secretary (ES), Benue Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, held at St. Margaret Catholic Church, Chichii – Gbatse in Vandeikya Local Government Area.

While he appealed to traditional rulers, the youth, and community leaders to assist government in the fight against insecurity, he urged them to assist government with useful information that would help her in effectively responding to challenges of insecurity in the state.

Governor Alia who took responsibility for everything noted that, “As a leader, the fault is mine, but I want you to know that we are working. I am appealing to the Tor Tiv and other traditional rulers to help me to work for you. It is said, information is key. So, if you hear something, say something”.

He thanked the Tor Tiv, HRM Orchivirigh Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-ala, Most Rev’d Isaac Dugu for the significant efforts they have been making to ensure that peace is returned in the state.

“Security is the work of all of us. In Sankera where the Bishop has championed the cause, there are other brothers too who are assisting. There are certain places they have gone which I haven’t gone myself.

“My people, nobody will come from outside to help us fix our society. We are the ones to do it ourselves”, even as the Governor agreed that a lot of work was still on ground for him to do in the aspect of security.

He appreciated God for the life of Sir Iorpuu, whose contributions he said were central to his emergence as Governor, adding that the presence of Iorpuu in his administration has added value to his government.

The Governor also stated that Iorpuu, who has anchored emergency responses on behalf of the government of the state, has been doing well.

Earlier, HRM, the Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Prof. James Ortese Ayatse, lamented that the Tiv people were being attacked from different corners, just as he advised the Governor to rise up and put in more efforts to save his people from the hands of the invaders.

Also commenting on the issue, the Most Rev Isaac Dugu, Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, acknowledged the efforts of the Governor Alia administration in bringing development in the state, adding however that the increased invasion of herdsmen in Benue communities is worrisome and requires urgent and serious attention.

In his reaction, the ES, SEMA, Sir James Iorpuu, thanked God for bringing Governor Alia into his life and sustaining the relationship for 40 years.

He observed that the presence of the governor in his life has not only drawn him closer to God, but has also given him a lot of blessings which he will forever remain grateful to God.