Herders Attack: 33 Killed in Fresh Attacks on Benue Communities

By Friday Obande

About thirty-three persons have been confirmed dead and 14 persons missing after a gruesome attack by suspected herdsmen in coordinated attacks on Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State over the weekend.

Reports gathered by Slyke Bulletin indicate that up till this time of publishing, the devastation has led to many residents missing, as the affected communities begin full headcounts.

The attacks were said to have been carried out around 7pm on Sunday, when unsuspecting residents of Tse-Antswam in Naka town, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area, (LGA) came under massive attack by suspected herdsmen, leaving 17 people dead, as others fled for their lives.

Speaking on the tragic incident, one of the community leaders, in the area, Patrick Modoom, confirmed the casualty figures to Channels Television via telephone. “Seventeen corpses have so far been recovered at Tse-Antswam, a community by the LGEA primary school Naka, close to the Federal Government Dam project,” he said.

“many people are still missing as headcount is being carried out, with many others displaced into the primary school where police personnel from the town and vigilantes are providing security”.

“This attack happened not too far from the military checkpoint from Naka town but not a single response from the military when we raised alarm about the attack, leaving our people vulnerable while the attack lasted,” he added.

Gwer West has 15 political council wards and 14 of those have been affected by herdsmen attacks, leaving Naka town as the safe place to run for the people but last night’s attack has compromised public safety at the local government headquarters.

Also from the other quota in the state, about 16 persons were killed in Edikwu and Ankpali communities from the neighboring Apa LGA.

According to the lawmaker representing the Apa State Constituency at the Benue State House of Assembly, Abu Umoru, “16 persons have been confirmed killed but many are still missing.”

Recall that 14 female traders were reportedly missing on Saturday, May 14, 2025, while returning from a Market in Enugu State. They were allegedly kidnapped along Owukpa Road, in a ‘Benue Links’ bus with their whereabouts unknown.

The Police in the state is yet to comment on the latest attacks at the time of filing this report.