Benue State Police Command has confirmed 17 fatalities following coordinated militia attacks in the Sankera axis, with five killed in Ukum LGA’s Gbagir community and twelve in neighboring Logo LGA.
Police spokesperson, Sewuese Anene stated tactical teams engaged the assailants, who retreated toward Taraba forests after the assaults in the early hours of Friday.
The command dismissed social media claims of 100 deaths as “unconfirmed rumors,” with Commissioner Steve Yabanet warning against inflammatory reporting.
The violence follows Wednesday’s attacks in Otukpo LGA, where three communities—Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju—were targeted just days after 11 died in Otobi village.
Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia, speaking after Good Friday services in Makurdi, revealed three herder suspects were arrested for Tuesday’s Otobi attack.
He announced collaboration with the National Security Adviser’s office on a security strategy, urging residents to avoid vigilante actions but report threats promptly.
The Sankera axis comprising Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala LGAs remains a hotspot for militia violence, with Authorities yet to identify the latest attackers’ affiliations as casualty verification continues.
