Suspected armed herders killed three people on Wednesday night at Mbasombo community in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attackers reportedly entered the area under the cover of darkness, catching residents unaware. The assault took place late at night, leaving behind destruction, panic, and grief among community members.
A local resident, who identified himself simply as Abraham, shared what he witnessed during the attack.
He said, “Residents were already asleep when we heard sporadic gunshots. They opened fire indiscriminately and set many houses on fire, and the sudden attack made some people flee their homes into surrounding bushes and nearby villages.”
According to reports from the scene, three people were confirmed dead, and many others sustained injuries of varying degrees. Several houses were also set ablaze, forcing families to abandon their homes and seek safety in nearby bushes and settlements.
This latest attack comes less than a day after a similar violent incident in Gwer West Local Government Area, where two lives were also lost in what locals say was another attack by suspected herders. These repeated assaults have left communities in the region living in fear.
Local government officials have reacted to the recent violence. Timothy Adi, Chairman of Gwer East LGA, confirmed the killings. Though he was in a meeting when contacted, he stated briefly, “Casualty figure three, situation now relatively calm.” His comment suggests that while the immediate violence has ended, tension still lingers in the area.
The Benue State Police Command also confirmed the attack. In a brief text message, Police spokesperson Catherine Anene stated, “Incident confirmed.”
The Mbasombo community, like many others in Benue, has seen a wave of attacks in recent times. Residents are calling on security agencies and the government to take urgent action to protect lives and property, as they fear the violence may escalate if not addressed quickly.
