A brutal attack by suspected herdsmen has claimed the lives of two brothers in Benue State, cutting short the promising futures of a recent university graduate and his younger sibling. The incident occurred on a farm in the Tse-Lafia area, casting a pall of grief and fear over the community.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The victims have been identified as Godwin Tyonum and his elder brother, Ortwer Tyonum. According to eyewitness accounts, the brothers were working on their farm on Sunday, December 21, 2025, when they were ambushed. The assailants, believed to be armed herdsmen, attacked them with machetes.
The location of the attack was at Tse-Lafia, near the railway line, approximately five kilometres from Daudu in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. This area has, unfortunately, been a flashpoint in the farmer-herder conflict that has plagued parts of Nigeria.
Promising Lives Cut Short
The younger brother, Godwin Tyonum, was a fresh graduate of Agribusiness from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University in Makurdi. He had successfully completed his studies last year and was looking forward to a bright future. At the time of his death, he was awaiting mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme scheduled for 2026.
His elder brother, Ortwer Tyonum, was also a student at the same prestigious institution. He was a 100-level student studying Entrepreneurial Education, just beginning his academic journey. Their deaths represent a devastating loss of young talent and potential for their family and the nation.
Tragically, Godwin did not succumb to his injuries immediately at the scene. He was rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi in a desperate bid to save his life. However, he later passed away at the medical facility, compounding the family's anguish.
Community Reaction and Calls for Justice
This violent event has significantly heightened tension in the Daudu and surrounding areas. Residents are living in fear, and the attack has sparked outrage and sorrow. The local community is now urgently appealing to security agencies to intervene.
There are loud and clear calls for a thorough investigation into the attack. Residents and community leaders demand that the perpetrators be swiftly identified, apprehended, and brought to justice. This incident underscores the persistent security challenges in the region and the urgent need for effective measures to protect lives and property.
The killing of these two young men, particularly a graduate poised to contribute to the agricultural sector, is a stark reminder of the human cost of ongoing conflicts. It highlights the critical need for sustainable peace and security solutions in Nigeria's farming communities.
