Fresh violence erupts in Benue as suspected herders kill one

Tensions have erupted in Tse Orhungul village located at the peripheries of Yogbo Village in Mbayer/Yandev Council Ward in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State following an alleged attack by herders on the community, resulting in the death of one individual and the wounding of another.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening after the youths were accused of attacking the herders over grazing disputes.

The report reveals that the youths had discovered cattle destroying crops and had seized one of the cattle. The captured animal was later moved to a security camp in Yogbo village.

It was further gathered that this step was aimed at ensuring that the cattle owners visited the community to negotiate compensation for the farmlands destroyed.

While the youths were still at the security camp, the herders reportedly found themselves in the village where they met two brothers, Verse and Terkimbir, tending to their farms behind the village.

The eyewitnesses said the attackers attacked the brothers with machetes and swords, causing serious injuries before they escaped from the scene.

One of the eyewitnesses revealed that Verse had been critically injured with machete wounds.

“The information that reached us this afternoon is that he did not survive the injuries,” the source said.

His younger brother, Terkimbir, also suffered multiple injuries during the attack and was taken to hospital for treatment. He is currently said to be in stable condition.

Residents lamented that the attack was not the first tragedy to befall the family, recalling that a younger sister of the victims was allegedly attacked in March and has remained under medical care since the incident.

The latest attack has heightened fear among residents of the area, who have continued to raise concerns over recurring violent encounters linked to suspected armed herders.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the police were unsuccessful.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, had yet to respond to enquiries on the incident as of the time of filing this report.