Fresh Attack in Benue Leaves Nine Dead, Governor Issues Strong Condemnation
In a tragic escalation of violence, gunmen have launched a deadly assault on the Mbalom community in Benue State, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals and leaving one victim in critical condition. The attack, confirmed by Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan (rtd), Director General of the Bureau for Homeland Security in Benue, occurred barely a week after a similar incident in Plateau State on Palm Sunday, highlighting a concerning pattern of insecurity in the region.
Community Details and Eyewitness Accounts
Timothy Adi, chairman of Gwer Local Government Council, under whose jurisdiction Mbalom falls, reported that the bodies of nine victims have been recovered. He noted that a tenth victim survived but is in critical condition, with Adi having just visited the hospital where the individual is receiving treatment. A resident identified as Philip provided a harrowing account, stating that the assailants initially attempted to storm the community early on Saturday morning but were repelled by local youths. However, they returned later that night and successfully carried out the attack.
Philip further revealed that the community had received advance warning of the planned assault at least four days prior and had alerted all relevant authorities. He explained that Mbalom, which has endured multiple such attacks in the past, had reported the presence of strange armed men in the days leading up to the incident. In a precautionary move, the community had already relocated women and children to safer areas before the attack, which is why only men fell victim this time.
Historical Context and Previous Violence
This is not the first time Mbalom has been targeted by armed attackers. On April 24, 2018, a horrific incident at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church in the same community resulted in the deaths of two Catholic priests, Rev. Fr. Joseph Gor and Rev. Fr. Felix Tyolaha, along with 17 parishioners during an early morning mass. The victims were later given a state burial by the Benue State government, underscoring the recurring nature of violence in the area.
Government Response and Condemnation
In response to the latest attack, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State issued a strong statement on Sunday in Makurdi, condemning the violence. Through a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia described the assault as a "heinous attack carried out by suspected armed herdsmen on the peace-loving people of Mbalom in the Gwer-East Local Government Area." He labeled the act as "barbaric and unacceptable," emphasizing that it represents a direct affront to the collective peace and security of the state.
The governor also expressed his condolences to the families of the bereaved and expressed grave concern over what appears to be a pattern of calculated and selective attacks in parts of Benue. He stressed that such acts of terror, despite their increasingly complex and hydra-headed nature, will not be allowed to thrive, reaffirming the government's commitment to tackling insecurity.
This incident adds to the growing list of security challenges facing Benue State, raising urgent questions about the effectiveness of current measures to protect vulnerable communities from such brutal attacks.
