In a tragic development in Nigeria’s north-central Benue state, at least 20 individuals have lost their lives due to coordinated assaults by unknown attackers, according to officials reports on Tuesday. The incidents unfolded on Sunday night within the Gwer West and Apa areas, as confirmed by Udeme Edet, a spokesperson for the Benue police.
According to Edet, the attacks resulted in the deaths of 12 people in Apa and another 10 in Gwer West. However, local sources indicate the fatality count might surpass 30. In addition, five individuals who survived these heinous attacks are currently receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital.
It’s not uncommon for Nigeria’s police reports to reflect lower casualty figures compared to those provided by local officials and eyewitnesses following such attacks.
Paul Biam, the chief of staff for Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia, visited the affected communities on Monday. He emphasized that the state government is working tirelessly to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The regions of Gwer West and Apa in Benue have experienced a surge in violent incidents recently. Only last week, gunmen claimed at least 20 lives in an attack on the village of Aondona, located in Gwer West.
While the perpetrators of these killings remain unidentified, such violence is not uncommon in Nigeria’s northern areas. Often, these are rooted in conflicts between local herders and farmers, stemming from disputes over land and water supply.
Farmers frequently blame herders, predominantly of Fulani descent, for letting their cattle graze on farmlands, causing damage to crops. On the other hand, herders argue that these farms sit on grazing paths originally sanctioned by legislation in 1965, just five years after Nigeria achieved independence.