6 residents killed as armed herdsmen attack communities in Benue, Nigeria

At least six residents have been killed and several others remain missing after suspected armed herdsmen attacked communities in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State on Friday night.

The affected communities include Tse-Nyaku, Biliji and other settlements in the Mbatian and Mbazum districts. Residents said the attackers struck from about 11 p.m., forcing villagers to flee their homes.

Casualties and search efforts

A resident of Biliji, who asked not to be named, said as many as nine people may have been killed, although only six bodies had been recovered at the time of reporting. A security source also said several residents were unaccounted for.

The Benue State Police Command said it had not yet received an official report from personnel in the area, leaving the exact death toll and number of missing persons unconfirmed.

Renewed insecurity

The attack comes amid continuing violence in Benue State. Two days earlier, three people, including a three-year-old child, were reportedly killed in an attack in Otukpo Local Government Area.

Local officials and residents have repeatedly called for stronger security deployment in rural communities, where armed groups have carried out repeated raids, killings and displacement.