Bloody Friday: 17 killed as gunmen raid Benue communities

No fewer than 17 persons were feared dead in renewed attacks on several rural communities in Benue State on Friday, following an invasion by suspected armed bandits.

The bloody onslaught, which occurred between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday, simultaneously affected Gbagir community in Ukum Local Government Area and some villages in Logo Local Government Area.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Benue State Command, SP Catherine Anene, disclosed that security operatives within the volatile Sankera axis—comprising Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala LGAs—were still in pursuit of the attackers believed to have fled towards the Taraba forest.

According to Anene, “On 17/4/2025 at about 2100hrs, information reached the Command that suspected militia had launched a coordinated attack on communities in Gbagir, Ukum LGA. Upon receiving the alert, the Commissioner of Police, CP Steve H. Yabanet, promptly dispatched tactical units to support officers already stationed in the area, alongside other security operatives.”

She explained that the security team engaged the assailants in a gun battle, during which the armed men fired indiscriminately at farmers and residents in the affected communities.

“Five corpses were recovered in Gbagir and rushed to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead. Sadly, a simultaneous attack in Logo LGA claimed 12 lives before security forces could arrive,” Anene stated.

She added that security operatives remained in hot pursuit of the retreating gunmen, who were said to be making their way into the forests bordering Taraba State.

Meanwhile, military helicopters were sighted hovering around the affected communities, as troops reportedly intensified bombardment of suspected hideouts of the assailants in Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo LGAs.

The police warned social media users against spreading unverified information capable of heightening tension, urging residents of the Sankera axis to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies as operations continue.