Tension in Benue community as suspected armed herders kill one, injure another

Tension has gripped Tse Orhungul settlement on the outskirts of Yogbo in Mbayer/Yandev Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, after suspected armed herders attacked the community, killing one person and seriously injuring another.

The attack occurred on Tuesday evening and was reportedly linked to a dispute over cattle allegedly grazing on a maize farm near the settlement.

According to residents, some youths discovered the cattle destroying crops and seized one of the animals. The animal was later taken to a security post in Yogbo.

According to community sources, the action was intended to compel the owners of the cattle to appear and discuss compensation for the damaged farmland.

However, while the youths were still at the security post, the herders reportedly made their way into the village and encountered two brothers, identified as Verse and Terkimbir, who were working on their farm behind the community.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants attacked the brothers with machetes and swords, inflicting severe injuries before fleeing the scene.

A resident who spoke on the incident said Verse sustained deep machete wounds and was rushed to hospital in critical condition.

“The information that reached us this afternoon is that he did not survive the injuries,” the source said.

His younger brother, Terkimbir, also suffered multiple injuries during the attack and was taken to hospital for treatment. He is currently said to be in stable condition.

Residents lamented that the attack was not the first tragedy to befall the family, recalling that a younger sister of the victims was allegedly attacked in March and has remained under medical care since the incident.

The latest attack has heightened fear among residents of the area, who have continued to raise concerns over recurring violent encounters linked to suspected armed herders.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the police were unsuccessful.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, had yet to respond to enquiries on the incident as of the time of filing this report

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