At least 25 people have reportedly been killed following early Thursday morning assaults on Mtswenem and Akondotyough Bawa communities in the North Bank area of Makurdi, Benue State.
Although the Benue State Police Command confirmed the incidents, it did not release an official death toll at the time. However, sources told Saturday PUNCH that 25 bodies had been recovered from the scenes of the attacks.
Police spokesperson, SP Catherine Udeme Edet, stated that officers had been dispatched to the affected areas and that investigations were ongoing.
“Our men are currently on the ground and gathering details. We will release the confirmed casualty figures once all information has been compiled,” she said.
According to eyewitnesses, the assailants—believed to be armed herders—launched the attack around midnight and continued for nearly two hours.
A local resident, who gave his name as Aondofa, described the attack as brutal and unprovoked. “They came heavily armed around 12 a.m. and went from house to house, smashing doors and windows, and killing people inside. It went on until about 2 a.m.,” he recounted.
He further revealed that 25 bodies had been discovered so far, including those of women and children. He added that while some residents managed to flee, others are still unaccounted for.
