At least 17 people are feared to have lost their lives after gunmen launched a deadly attack on a community in Benue State on Easter Sunday.
The attack occurred in Mbalom, located in Gwer East Local Government Area, on April 5, a day when many residents were marking the Easter celebration.
According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants stormed the village and began shooting indiscriminately, catching residents off guard.
Survivors said several homes were also set ablaze during the assault, forcing villagers to flee into nearby bushes in a desperate bid to escape death.
As of the latest reports, a number of residents remain unaccounted for, with ongoing efforts to locate those still missing.
A local resident described the incident as devastating, noting that many victims had no warning before the attack unfolded.
The latest killings have reignited concerns over persistent insecurity in parts of Benue State, particularly in rural farming areas that have repeatedly come under threat.
Reacting to the incident, Governor Hyacinth Alia strongly condemned the attack, labelling it as “heinous” and unacceptable.
In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor extended condolences to affected families and assured the public that those responsible would be brought to justice.
He also highlighted what he described as a troubling pattern of targeted assaults in certain communities and pledged to strengthen security measures to curb further violence.
Governor Alia commended security agencies for their initial response and urged them to intensify efforts to track down the perpetrators.
Mbalom has previously witnessed similar violence. In April 2018, suspected herders attacked a Catholic church in the area, killing two priests and several worshippers during a morning mass.
Across Benue State, repeated attacks continue to disrupt livelihoods, particularly in agrarian communities where residents depend heavily on farming.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, while security operatives have begun manhunts aimed at identifying and apprehending those behind the latest assault.
