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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen have attacked Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward of Guma Local Government (LG) Benue State, killing four persons and injuring several others.
The community is the hometown of the immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.
It was gathered that the attack occurred on Monday night when the assailants stormed the community at about midnight while residents were asleep. The attackers reportedly broke into homes, killing victims and leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries.
A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said the attackers invaded the village without any provocation.
“They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses.
“Three persons were killed during the attack, while several others sustained injuries. The injured were taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba, but one of them later died, bringing the death toll to four.
“Several people are still missing, and search efforts are ongoing. We hope they will be found alive,” the source said.
Reacting to the incident, the former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board (TSB), Dr Frank Kyungun, who hails from the area, said he visited the community alongside former Governor Ortom and other prominent indigenes.
Describing the attack as unprovoked and barbaric, Kyungun said, “It was an unprovoked attack by armed herdsmen. They came at about midnight and launched a heavy assault on the community. They killed four people and left several others injured. Those wounded have been taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba.
“We accompanied the former governor to sympathise with our people and urged them to remain calm and allow the police to carry out their investigations.
“What happened is deeply unfortunate. Our people resolved long ago to stop eating beef, and it is not even sold in our markets because we wanted to avoid any conflict. Even when our farmlands are destroyed by grazing cattle, our people have continued to exercise restraint.
“We cannot understand why innocent people should be killed without any provocation. It is a sad and painful development.”
The Chairman of Guma LG, Morris Orwough, also condemned the attack in a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Ernest Tortiv.
Orwough expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured, describing the incident as heartbreaking and unacceptable.
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He disclosed that security personnel had been deployed to Abaushwa to restore peace, protect lives and property, and prevent further attacks.
The council chairman urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and continue to provide credible information that would assist efforts to tackle insecurity in the area.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command, DSP Peter Aondona, confirmed the attack, saying four persons were killed.
“I can confirm that there was an attack in Guma LG in which four persons were killed by suspected bandits. Investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice,” Aondona said.
Meanwhile, the 2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), has condemned the latest attack on Abaushwa community.
In a statement signed by his Media Assistant, James Ian, Aondoakaa described the attack as barbaric, heartbreaking and another painful reminder of the worsening security situation in the state.
He extended his condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of victims receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the attack.
Aondoakaa expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in Benue, stressing that the true measure of effective security lies in preventing attacks rather than merely responding after lives have been lost.
He observed that the recurring attacks on Benue communities had created an atmosphere of fear, forcing many farmers to abandon their ancestral lands and threatening the state’s agricultural economy.
According to him, the people of Benue are yearning for concrete security measures that will end the cycle of killings and displacement.
He urged the Benue State Government to recognise that the protection of lives and property remains its foremost constitutional responsibility and should therefore receive greater attention.
“Every available resource, every security architecture and every policy initiative should be directed towards achieving that sacred responsibility. Benue people deserve security, not endless condolences,” he said.
Aondoakaa also expressed concern over reports that some injured victims experienced delays in accessing prompt medical attention due to the ongoing industrial action by doctors in the state. He urged the authorities to make emergency arrangements to ensure victims of violent attacks receive immediate life-saving medical care.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of those killed in the Guma attack, divine healing for the injured and comfort for the bereaved families.
