Benue State Under Siege: 4 Policemen Killed in Udei by Armed Herdsmen
Another tragic chapter has been added to Benue State’s security crisis as armed herders launched a brutal attack on Udei community in Guma Local Government Area (LGA) on Sunday, leaving four Mobile Policemen dead. The assault is part of a series of violent incursions across the region that continue to displace thousands and claim innocent lives.
The attack began around 11 a.m. in the Asha community, just a short distance from Ortese, which hosts thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Eyewitnesses reported sporadic gunfire as the assailants chased locals from their farmlands, triggering panic and chaos.
“They began pursuing people from their farms, and it escalated to Ortese,” said Mr. Matthew Mnyan, a community leader and former Acting Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board.
By 2 p.m., the violence had reached Udei, where four policemen tragically lost their lives during a fierce gunfight with the attackers.
Security Forces Fight Back
A combined team of the Nigerian military and local police was mobilized to repel the invasion. Two armored trucks were deployed, and an hour-long gun battle ensued in the surrounding bushlands.
Despite these efforts, the attackers also attempted to breach Daudu, a neighboring community. Youth groups and security personnel managed to fend off the marauders, though tensions remain high.
“Even the IDPs in Ortese are in fear, calling for more security,” said Mr. Mnyan.
Wider Context: A Region Under Constant Threat
This latest attack occurred just 16 days after an earlier assault on Yelewata community, which claimed over 200 lives, leaving dozens hospitalized and thousands displaced.
Benue State has been a hotspot for herder-farmer clashes, a crisis fueled by land disputes, climate change, and resource competition. Over 2 million people have been displaced in Benue alone since the conflict intensified.
Government Silence and Public Concern
Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful. Calls and messages went unanswered as residents continue to live in fear.
Meanwhile, locals are calling for urgent federal intervention to prevent a humanitarian disaster. The lack of response and recurring attacks have raised serious questions about the effectiveness of current security measures in the Middle Belt.
What Needs to Be Done?
Increase security presence in volatile areas.
Provide relief and rehabilitation for displaced families.
Enforce grazing laws and mediate long-term conflict resolution.
Hold attackers accountable through swift justice.
Quick Facts About the Benue Crisis
Over 2 million people displaced due to herder-farmer conflict (UNHCR, 2024).
More than 6,000 people killed in Benue between 2016 and 2024.
Nigeria ranks third globally in internal displacement due to violence (IDMC, 2024).
16,000 IDPs are currently sheltering in Ortese alone.
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