Suspected herdsmen carried out deadly attacks on communities in Benue State on Tuesday, June 10, resulting in multiple fatalities across Agatu and Apa Local Government Areas.
The latest wave of violence has left residents reeling, despite recent assurances by military authorities that security in the region had improved.
Local sources confirmed that the attacks led to the death of several individuals, including Sunday Dutse, who is reported to be the brother of a former chairman of Agatu Local Government Area. Dutse was among those killed during the coordinated assault by armed men believed to be herders.
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The assailants also reportedly ambushed and killed three more individuals in the Edikwu-G’Icho area of Apa LGA. Eyewitnesses said the victims were attacked without warning and had no chance to escape. The attackers, described by survivors as heavily armed and moving in groups, struck during the early hours of the day, catching residents off guard.
Residents of the affected communities expressed deep frustration and fear over the repeated violence, which they said has persisted despite the presence of security forces and repeated promises by authorities to secure the area. The attacks are the latest in a series of violent incidents attributed to armed herders in the state, which has been one of the hardest hit by such conflicts in recent years.
Community leaders and local officials have condemned the killings, calling on the state and federal governments to intensify efforts to protect rural populations from further violence. They also urged security agencies to not only increase their presence in the region but also take proactive steps to prevent attacks rather than respond only after they occur.
The attack on Edikwu-G’Icho and Agatu communities came just days after military authorities assured the public that security had been strengthened in vulnerable parts of Benue State. Military checkpoints and patrols were said to have been reinforced, but residents argue that these measures have not translated into actual protection on the ground.
The Benue State Police Command has yet to issue a formal statement on the incident. However, law enforcement sources confirmed that investigations are underway and that additional security personnel have been deployed to the affected areas to restore calm and prevent further violence.
The repeated attacks have raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of security measures in rural communities, particularly in conflict-prone zones like Benue, where land disputes and farmer-herder tensions frequently escalate into violence. Many residents have fled their homes in fear of more attacks, leaving behind their farms and properties.
Human rights organizations and civil society groups have also called on the federal government to act decisively to address what they describe as a growing security crisis in the Middle Belt. They point to a pattern of attacks targeting farming communities, which they say not only results in loss of life but also threatens food security in the region.
As of Tuesday evening, the total number of casualties from the latest attacks had not been officially confirmed, but local reports suggest that the death toll could rise as more information becomes available. Emergency response teams and humanitarian organizations are being called upon to assist survivors and provide support to displaced families.
The state government has yet to issue a comprehensive statement, though local officials have reiterated calls for an urgent security review in the wake of the attacks. Community members continue to demand justice and long-term solutions to prevent recurring violence.
The latest killings underscore the persistent insecurity in many rural areas of Nigeria and the ongoing challenges facing efforts to resolve the complex conflicts involving farmers and herders. With tensions still high in Agatu and Apa LGAs, residents are appealing for immediate intervention before more lives are lost.
