Fresh Attack: 33 feared killed in Benue communities

June 02, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

Thirty-three persons have been feared killed in coordinated attacks by suspected herdsmen on Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State. Many residents are still missing as the affected communities begin headcounts.

The attack on Tse-Antswam in Naka town, Gwer West LGA, resulted in 17 deaths, with many others displaced.

A community leader, Patrick Modoom, confirmed the casualty figures, saying, “Seventeen corpses have so far been recovered at Tse-Antswam, a community by the LGEA primary school Naka, close to the Federal Government Dam project.”

Modoom added, “Many people are still missing as headcount is being carried out, with many others displaced into the primary school where police personnel from the town and vigilantes are providing security.”

He expressed concern over the lack of response from the military during the attack, stating, “This attack happened not too far from the military checkpoint from Naka town but not a single response from the military when we raised alarm about the attack, leaving our people vulnerable while the attack lasted.”

In Apa LGA, 16 persons were killed in Edikwu and Ankpali communities.

The lawmaker representing the Apa State Constituency, Abu Umoru, confirmed, “16 persons have been confirmed killed but many are still missing.”

The attacks have raised concerns about public safety in the areas, with many residents fleeing their homes. The police in the state have yet to comment on the latest attacks.

This incident comes just days after 14 female traders were kidnapped along Owukpa road in a Benue Link bus, with their whereabouts still unknown.