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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The 2027 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, has called for an increased and sustained security presence in communities across the state, saying the security situation in parts of Benue demands urgent and extraordinary action.
Aondoakaa was reacting to reports of a deadly attack on communities in Mbaterem, Ukum Local Government Area of the state, in the early hours of Sunday, August 16, 2026.
Although community members gave different figures on the number of casualties, the Benue State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed that the attack, which occurred at about 7am on Sunday, claimed three lives, while four others sustained machete injuries and were taken to a medical facility for treatment.
Aondoakaa said the people of Benue could no longer continue to live at the mercy of terrorists who invade communities, kill innocent citizens, destroy livelihoods and disappear without consequences.
He said reports from the area indicated that terrorists riding motorcycles invaded Ayaba, Ukpen, Bom, Aboajio, Yina and other communities at about 5am, shooting sporadically and reportedly killing several residents while leaving many others injured.
The attack was said to have lasted for several hours, forcing terrified residents to flee into the bushes for safety.
Aondoakaa described the development as another grim reminder that the security situation in parts of Benue State requires urgent and extraordinary action.
“How long will Benue communities continue to wake up to gunfire? How many more farmers must be killed? How many more families must abandon their ancestral homes before the protection of these vulnerable communities is treated as the emergency that it is?” he queried.
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The PDP governorship candidate said the people of Benue were tired of counting bodies, burying loved ones and fleeing their homes and farms whenever armed men attacked.
“They are tired of fleeing their homes and farms whenever armed men strike. What the people need now is protection, not another cycle of attacks followed by condolences and promises that produce no lasting security,” he said.
Aondoakaa therefore called on the government and security agencies to immediately launch a comprehensive security operation in the affected parts of Ukum, secure the communities, pursue the attackers and ensure that those responsible for the killings are apprehended and prosecuted.
The former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice also called for a sustained security presence in vulnerable communities across the state.
He said, “Intelligence from local communities must be taken seriously, known routes used by armed groups must be secured, and rapid-response mechanisms must be strengthened. The primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property.”
Aondoakaa maintained that securing the people, returning displaced families to their ancestral homes and enabling farmers to cultivate their land safely must remain an overriding priority.
“Benue people have a right to their ancestral homes. They have a right to their farms. They have a right to go about their legitimate activities without fear of being killed. They should not have to surrender their communities to armed men because government has failed to provide sufficient protection,” he said.
In a statement signed by his Media Assistant, James Ian, Aondoakaa sympathised with the families who lost loved ones in the Ukum attacks and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
He also urged relevant authorities to provide immediate assistance to the affected communities and ensure that residents who fled their homes were adequately protected and assisted to return safely.
