THE death toll from attacks on communities in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State has surged to 56, two days after the police reported 17 fatalities.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, during a visit to the affected areas on Saturday, April 19, said 27 people were killed in Logo and 28 in Ukum, bringing the total to 55.
He noted that some families had already buried their dead with the assistance of security operatives, which might be responsible for the discrepancy in earlier figure from the police.
“Since these attacks started, we have recovered corpses. As of Friday, we received some and the death toll rose to 27 in Logo. In Ukum, security operatives have recovered over 28 corpses,” he said.
Also, in a statement on his X handle on Sunday, April 20, the governor said the toll had risen to 56 from “senseless and barbaric attacks.”
The new figure contradicts the earlier report by the Benue State Police Command, which on Friday, April 18, confirmed 17 deaths from the attacks on the two LGAs.
The police had said that five people were killed in Gbagir community in Ukum and 12 in Logo during a simultaneous onslaught by suspected militias.
Police spokesperson in the state, Sewuese Anene, said the attack followed intelligence of an impending raid, prompting the Commissioner of Police to deploy tactical teams to the Sankera axis.
Despite the intervention, several people were killed before security arrived.
While conducting an assessment of the communities on Saturday, Governor Alia described the situation as “a real war,” stating that no one could afford to sleep with both eyes closed.
He said, “There is no room for anyone to sleep with their two eyes closed. This is real war. We know our enemies. This is the only state that we have. I mourn with you at this very pathetic and sad moment in your lives.”
Alia appealed to the Federal Government for urgent support to halt the violence and prevent further displacement of residents, many of whom are now taking refuge in camps in Zaki-Biam and Ugba.
He also urged residents not to take the law into their hands, stressing the need for calm and lawful conduct even in the face of repeated attacks.
“I have called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene and take decisive action to put an end to these attacks. Our people deserve to live in peace, farm in peace, and raise their families without fear.
“I met with local leaders, community members, and victims. I heard your pain. I saw your strength. And I assure you, you are not alone. We will not abandon you. We are already reinforcing security in the Sankera axis and other parts of Benue, and emergency relief is being extended to affected areas.
“I strongly urge our people to remain calm and not take laws into their own hands. The path to peace is hard, but it is the only way forward,” the statement added.
The ICIR reported how gunmen attacked Gbagir community, Ukum LGA of the state. The assault occurred on Thursday in the Sankera axis of the LGA and simultaneously in neighbouring Logo LGA.
The renewed attacks in Sankera came barely 48 hours after suspected herders launched brutal attacks on three communities—Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju—in Otukpo LGA, southern Benue.
The onslaught also followed the killing of 11 persons at Otobi community in the same local government area the previous night.
According to Channels Television, the Otukpo LGA Chairman, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the attacks, noting that the invaders struck while police officers were still at the palace of the Ochidoma, addressing the previous day’s massacre.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M