The death toll from recent attacks in the Ukum and Logo local government areas of Benue State has tragically risen to 20. These coordinated attacks, suspected to be perpetrated by herdsmen, have prompted security forces and local residents to conduct extensive searches of the affected communities in a desperate attempt to locate survivors.

Governor Hyacinth Alia provided a somber update on the situation during a telephone conversation with a Channels Television correspondent. He detailed how the initial recovery of five bodies in Gbagir was followed by the discovery of two more corpses by civilians engaged in the grim task of searching for their missing loved ones. The governor also mentioned that a family in Gbagir, determined to bury their relative without delay, received special authorization from security forces to conduct a swift burial.

Adding to the devastation, police efforts in response to simultaneous attacks in Logo resulted in the recovery of 12 additional bodies, all of which have been deposited in a mortuary. This brings the total count to 20 lives lost in these coordinated assaults within the Sankera region. The state government has urgently reiterated its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property, appealing to Benue residents to proactively share any information with security agencies that could aid in promptly addressing insecurity.

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Sewuese Anene, issued a statement on Friday, revealing that authorities had received intelligence regarding a large group of suspected militia infiltrating the Sankera axis of the state. In response, police units were dispatched to engage the militia in Gbagir, where they had already claimed five lives. Initial reports on Friday estimated the death toll at 17.

However, these events have ignited a storm of speculation on social media, with unverified claims suggesting that suspected herdsmen killed as many as 100 people. The police have cautioned against spreading unconfirmed rumors, emphasizing the need for accurate reporting of casualty figures. The police statement outlined the proactive measures taken: "Information was received that a large number of suspected militia had invaded the Sankera axis of Benue state with the intention to attack communities around Gbagir, Ukum Local Government Area. Upon receipt of this report, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command, CP. Steve H. Yabanet FCID, psc (+) ordered tactical teams to move to the area and join forces with police officers on ground and other security agencies to forestall the attack."

The statement further detailed the engagement with the attackers: "Following this order, a team of officers moved to the area and engaged them. While the attackers were being repelled in the early hours of today, they shot sporadically at unsuspecting farmers as they came across them. Five (5) persons were recovered at the Gbagir area and taken to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead. Unfortunately, an unsuspected simultaneous attack was carried out in Logo, where twelve (12) persons were killed before the arrival of the police, making a total of seventeen persons. However, Security agencies within the Sankera axis are still engaging the bandits as they retreat back to the forest around the Taraba axis."

The Police Commissioner has issued a stern warning against spreading misinformation: "The CP warns social media users who are reporting unconfirmed reports and inciting the general public to desist from such actions that are capable of creating unnecessary tension in the state. He reiterates his commitment to fight the attackers and encourages the good people of Sankera to continue to cooperate with the police as the operation is ongoing.” These tragic events follow a series of violent attacks allegedly perpetrated by suspected herdsmen, including incidents in the Otukpo Local Government Area, where communities such as Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju were targeted, resulting in five deaths in February. These communities were struck just a day after 11 people were killed in Otobi Community, also in Otukpo LGA.

Governor Alia has strongly condemned these attacks. Speaking to journalists after a Good Friday Mass in Makurdi, the state capital, Governor Alia denounced the violence and urged communities to resist the urge to take matters into their own hands. He assured residents that the state government, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, is actively developing a comprehensive strategy to put an end to the killings by suspected invaders. The governor also called on residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies.

In a separate incident, four lives were tragically cut short in an early morning accident on the Northern Bypass near Membley Bridge in Ruiru. The collision, which occurred around 3:42 a.m. on April 19, involved a Suzuki Wagon and a trailer. Preliminary reports indicate that the trailer, driven by Peter Wachira, was en route from Kahawa West towards the Membley Roundabout when the Suzuki collided with its rear. All four occupants of the Suzuki died instantly. Authorities have identified the driver as Dionisious Njau Githinji and one passenger as Naomi Wambui, while the identities of the remaining two victims are still being confirmed. The bodies have been transported to Thika General Kago Mortuary for preservation and postmortem examinations.

Police have ruled out road conditions and weather as contributing factors, stating that the road was well-maintained and the weather was clear at the time of the accident. Investigations are ongoing to determine the precise cause of the collision.