Tragedy struck in Ayati village, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, as suspected herdsmen launched a deadly attack, leaving over 60 people dead, including two policemen.
The attack, which occurred on Thursday evening, has sent shockwaves through the community and beyond.
Eyewitnesses report that the gunmen, heavily armed, stormed the village around 4:30 PM, opening fire on residents who were engaged in their daily activities.
According to a villager who lost five relatives in the attack, the assailants shot indiscriminately, causing widespread panic and chaos.
“On 08/08/2024, at about 1630hrs while normal daily activities were going on in Ayati village, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue state, a large number of armed bandits invaded the village and started shooting sporadically at members of the community, killing over 60 of the villagers,” the source told SaharaReporters.
Earlier reports said over 30 people were killed.
The brutality of the attack has left the village in mourning, with families grieving the loss of their loved ones.
The killing of two policemen during the assault further underscores the severity of the situation.
This latest attack comes just weeks after another violent incident in Ayati, where 11 people were killed. The recurring violence has fueled anger and frustration among residents, leading to violent demonstrations that have resulted in the destruction of private and public property in the area.
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has denounced the recent attack on the Ayati settlement in the Ukum Local Government Area.
In a statement via his media aide, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor commiserated with the families of the victims over the attack.
According to Kula, “Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Iormem Alia expresses deep sadness over the news of another unprovoked attack on Ayati settlement in Ukum Local Government Area where several people were reportedly killed,”
“Governor Alia strongly condemns the attack on unarmed innocent citizens of Benue State by armed bandits, expressing worry that such heinous act has continued in the state despite strong security presence and the regular dialogue sessions his administration has been holding with stakeholders, and traditional rulers seeking the return of peace in Sankera.”
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region, where clashes between herdsmen and local communities have become tragically frequent.
Residents of Ayati and neighboring communities are calling for urgent intervention from the Federal Government and security forces to prevent further bloodshed and restore peace to the troubled area.
As the nation grapples with rising insecurity, the need for decisive action to protect vulnerable communities has never been more pressing.