Death Toll From Armed Herdsmen Attacks On Benue Rises To 72
The death toll from a series of brutal attacks carried out by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Benue State has risen to 72.
This is as 13 additional bodies were reportedly recovered in the affected areas.
The new figure was confirmed by Isaac Uzaan, Principal Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Media and Content Creation.
Uzaan stated that the fresh bodies were recovered from Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas.
According to Uzaan, 12 of the bodies were found in Ukum while one was discovered in Logo, bringing the overall fatality count to 72.
This grim update followed Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Easter address in Makurdi, during which he acknowledged that 59 bodies had been recovered in the aftermath of the attacks.
The subsequent search of nearby bushes and farmlands in the affected communities led to the additional discoveries.
The attacks, which unfolded between Thursday night and Friday morning, devastated several rural communities within the Sankera axis, comprising Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala LGAs.
Residents say the invaders stormed villages in coordinated assaults, leaving a trail of destruction and loss.
Initial figures released by the Benue State Police Command on Friday evening reported 17 deaths, including 12 in Logo and five in Ukum.
However, as search operations continued, the death toll has continued to rise.
Security remains tense across the region, as residents and local leaders call for urgent intervention from the federal government and security agencies to prevent further bloodshed.
Authorities have yet to confirm if any arrests have been made, while investigations into the motive and identity of the attackers continue.
