At least 20 people were killed in coordinated attacks by unidentified gunmen in multiple communities in Nigeria’s north-central Benue state.
The Police confirmed these attacks earlier today, June 3, 2025.
The violent assaults, which took place late Sunday, targeted the Gwer West and Apa areas, escalating fears of further unrest in the region.
According to Udeme Edet, spokesperson for the Benue police, 12 people were killed in Apa, while 10 lost their lives in Gwer West.
However, local reports suggest the death toll could be significantly higher, potentially exceeding 30.
Five survivors are receiving treatment at a local hospital, Edet noted.
The attacks follow a recent surge in violence in Benue state.
Just last week, gunmen killed at least 20 people in Aondona village, located in Gwer West.
Nigeria’s police often report lower casualty figures compared to local authorities and eyewitnesses, raising concerns about the accuracy of official statements.
Paul Biam, chief of staff to Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia, visited the affected communities on Monday.
He emphasized that the state government is taking proactive measures to curb the violence and restore peace.
“The administration is doing everything possible to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of residents,” Biam said.
Ongoing Tensions in Benue State
The Gwer West and Apa areas have experienced a spike in deadly attacks in recent months, driven by long-standing conflicts between local farmers and herders.
These clashes often stem from disputes over limited access to land and water resources.
Farmers accuse nomadic herders, predominantly of Fulani origin, of allowing their livestock to graze on farmlands, destroying crops.
In contrast, herders argue that these lands fall within grazing routes legally recognized since 1965, following Nigeria’s independence.
The root causes of the violence remain unresolved, with both groups vying for control over scarce resources in Nigeria’s north-central region.
Authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators of Sunday’s attacks, but such incidents are frequently linked to herder-farmer conflicts in Nigeria’s northern states.
Government and Community Response
Governor Alia’s administration has pledged to address the security challenges in Benue, including deploying additional resources to protect vulnerable communities.
However, the recurring nature of these attacks highlights the complexity of resolving deep-seated land disputes and ensuring lasting peace.
As investigations continue, residents of Gwer West and Apa are calling for urgent action to prevent further loss of life.
The situation remains tense, with fears of retaliatory attacks looming over the region.
Benue attacks, Nigeria violence, Gwer West, Apa, herder-farmer conflict, Nigeria security, Fulani herders, land disputes, north-central Nigeria, Benue police, Governor Hyacinth Ali
Armenian Dram
Ghana Cedi
Gambian Dalasi
Guinea Franc
Nigerian Naira
CFA Franc BEAC
