Death Toll Rises to 20 in Benue as Police, Residents Recover Bodies

The death toll from recent attacks by suspected herdsmen in Benue State has risen to 20 as security forces and local residents continue to search affected areas in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas. Governor Hyacinth Alia confirmed the updated figures during a phone interview with Channels Television on Saturday.

According to the governor, the search began after five bodies were initially found in Gbagir and transported to the morgue. Two additional bodies were later discovered by residents who were searching for missing individuals. A grieving family in Gbagir, who opted for an immediate burial, was granted permission by security forces to conduct brief burial rites.

In Logo LGA, security personnel recovered 12 more bodies, bringing the confirmed death toll from the coordinated attacks across the Sankera region to 20. Governor Alia reiterated his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property and urged residents to report any relevant information to security agencies to help combat rising insecurity.

The Benue State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Sewuese Anene, confirmed the attacks and provided additional details on the situation. She explained that a large group of armed assailants had attacked the Sankera axis, prompting an immediate deployment of tactical units under the direction of Commissioner of Police Steve H. Yabanet.

“Officers were sent to Gbagir to confront the attackers, recovering five bodies that were later confirmed dead at a hospital,” Anene said. She added that a separate attack in Logo resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals before the arrival of security forces, raising the death toll from 17 to 20 after further discoveries.

Security agencies are continuing their efforts to track the attackers, who are believed to have fled toward the forests near the Taraba border. The police also urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information online, warning that such actions could escalate tensions.

These attacks follow a series of violent incidents in the Otukpo region of the state. In February, suspected herdsmen raided the communities of Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju, resulting in five deaths. The raids occurred just a day after 11 people were killed in Otobi, another community in the same local government.