BREAKING: 13 dead, dozens displaced as Herdsmen attack Benue community

The Azege settlement in Mbaya, Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, came under attack on Sunday morning as suspected herders launched a violent assault, killing 13 people.

The attack, which occurred around 7 a.m., also left several residents injured and destroyed farmlands, worsening the community’s struggles with food insecurity.

Eyewitness accounts described the scene as devastating, with grieving families mourning the loss of lives and livelihoods.

Azege, the hometown of Hon. Benjamin Uzenda, former Caretaker Chairman of Logo Local Government, has faced repeated assaults in recent months. Speaking to The Nation, Uzenda confirmed the attack and expressed concern over the recurring violence.

“This is not the first time herdsmen have tried to invade Azege,” Uzenda said. “In the last two months alone, there have been two failed attempts. However, this morning’s attack was particularly brutal. Thirteen people were killed, farmlands were destroyed, and the community is in mourning.”

Residents recounted how the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the village and opened fire on people preparing for Sunday church service. The violence was described as coordinated, with women and children among the casualties.

“They fired indiscriminately at harmless villagers, butchered some of their victims, and gunned down others,” Uzenda added. “The attackers operated for hours and fled before security forces could respond.”

The attack has displaced many residents, who fled their homes in fear of further violence. Azege, located 30 minutes from Ayilamo, the headquarters of Tombo Ward, has been a hotspot for repeated violence.

Several of the injured were taken to the Ayilamo Primary Health Centre for treatment, while the Chairman of Logo Local Government, Hon. Clement, is reportedly planning a visit to the affected area.

The incident underscores the growing insecurity in the region, leaving the community grappling with both human and economic losses.