BREAKING: Herdsmen invade Benue community, massacre 20 residents

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Jato Aka Turan, a community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, have issued an urgent appeal for security intervention following deadly attacks by suspected herdsmen that have claimed at least 20 lives in two days.

According to corps members who spoke with SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the assailants launched sustained attacks from Sunday to Tuesday, leaving several injured and the community in turmoil. They described Jato Aka Turan as particularly vulnerable to security threats, despite its proximity to a Nigerian Army base, with armed men frequently moving through the area unchecked.

The corps members expressed concerns about their safety, noting that their Local Government Inspector (LGI) rarely visits the area except for monthly clearance exercises. They revealed that the LGI advised them to relocate to the nearby Adikpo community if the situation worsens.

A corps member serving in another part of Benue confirmed the dire situation, stating, “One of our colleagues at Jato Aka Turan told me that the village is extremely remote, and security presence is minimal. There are about 21 corps members currently serving there. They have reported their safety concerns to the LGI, who suggested they move to Adikpo if the attacks escalate.”

The corps members also reported the situation to a nearby military checkpoint but were only advised to reach out to the soldiers in case of an emergency. They recounted witnessing groups of armed men on motorcycles heading toward neighboring villages, only for herdsmen to later launch fatal attacks when local vigilantes stood down.

A Facebook user, Wase Richie Aondofa, shared graphic images of the aftermath of the attacks, writing, “Several lives have been lost, and properties worth millions destroyed. We are calling on relevant agencies to intervene immediately. My village, Jato Aka Turan, is no longer safe. We need urgent help.”

A corps member’s WhatsApp status, also obtained by SaharaReporters, read, “Fulani herdsmen killed at least 20 people between Sunday and Tuesday near my Place of Primary Assignment. Yet, NYSC officials told us during orientation that ‘there is no insecurity in Benue.’ A Nigerian Air Force helicopter flew over my school today, and students panicked upon hearing bombing sounds. We had to calm them down and send them back to class.”