Benue Community Grieves as Suspected Herdsmen Launch Yet Another Devastating Attack on Mbayam Ward

 

The tranquil night in Mbayam Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area, Benue State, turned into a nightmare on Friday as suspected herdsmen launched a brutal assault on Tse-Ankon village, leaving at least ten residents dead and several homes reduced to rubble.

Eyewitnesses recount that the attack, which began in the late hours of Friday, was swift, coordinated, and chillingly unopposed. The assailants, numbering in dozens and reportedly heavily armed, descended upon the community under the cover of darkness, setting houses ablaze and opening fire on fleeing residents.

One local who survived the onslaught shared his harrowing experience: "It was as if we were trapped in a war zone. The gunshots echoed endlessly. They moved from one house to another, burning everything in their path. There was no help, no intervention, nothing to stop them."

In the immediate aftermath of the carnage, at least seven bodies were initially recovered. The death toll has since risen to ten, with fears that more casualties may be uncovered as search efforts continue in the smoldering ruins of the village.

Among the lives lost are members of the community known for their contributions to the local economy and social fabric. The deceased have been identified as Angyoom Kwembe, Orterse Dajo, Negema Kyenge, Ahembe Shawa, Chieyol Shawa, and Hangeior Ukor. Their deaths have left a gaping hole in families and the wider community, many of whom are still grappling with shock and disbelief.

The scene at Tse-Ankon is one of complete devastation. Ashen remains of homes, scorched belongings, and a chilling silence speak to the trauma that unfolded. Survivors are now scattered, seeking shelter wherever they can, many left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Despite the gravity of the situation, residents lament the absence of security intervention during the hours-long attack. “They operated freely, without any challenge. Not even the sound of sirens or any form of defense. We were abandoned,” the local source stated.

This latest incident adds to the grim tally of violence that has plagued Benue State in recent years, much of it stemming from recurring clashes and attacks attributed to suspected herdsmen. The state, often referred to as the food basket of the nation, has become a hotspot for violent incursions, leaving countless communities displaced and in mourning.

As news of the massacre spreads, there has been an outpouring of grief and anger from citizens and civil society organizations demanding urgent and decisive action from the government. Activists and local leaders are calling for increased military presence in vulnerable rural areas, as well as the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators.

While officials have yet to release a formal statement regarding the incident, pressure continues to mount on both the state and federal governments to address the persistent security lapses and provide tangible support to affected communities.

Tse-Ankon now joins the growing list of communities in Benue where tragedy has struck without warning, and where families must now bury loved ones whose lives were cut short by senseless violence. For those left behind, the road to healing will be long, and the question of justice hangs heavily in the air.

As villagers mourn and bury their dead, one thing remains painfully clear — the need for immediate, sustained intervention to halt the cycle of bloodshed that continues to plague the region.