Key Points

• Gunmen killed 17 people in coordinated attacks on two Benue LGAs.

• The attacks occurred four days after similar killings in Plateau State.

• Police engaged gunmen, but many victims were killed before help arrived.

Gunmen, suspected to be armed herders, attacked two local government areas in Benue State on the night of April 17, 2025.

The police confirmed that 17 people were killed in the coordinated assault on Ukum and Logo local government areas.

The attacks occurred around 9 p.m. and lasted into the early hours of the morning. This attack follows a similar incident in Plateau State, where suspected armed herders killed dozens of people just days before. However, it remains unclear if the attacks were carried out by the same group.

Benue police spokesperson Sewuese Anene confirmed the details of the attacks. She stated that five people were killed in Ukum, and 12 others died in Logo.

“At about 9 p.m., we received information that a large number of militia had invaded the Sankera axis of Benue State, intending to attack communities around Gbagir, Ukum Local Government Area,” Anene said in a statement.

Police forces were immediately dispatched to the area to assist local officers and prevent further violence.

Police engage gunmen in shootout, but many fall victim

Once on the ground, the police engaged the gunmen in a shootout. Despite their efforts, the attackers managed to kill five farmers in Ukum.

“Five persons were recovered at Gbagir area and taken to the hospital where they were confirmed dead,” Anene added.

As the gunmen retreated from the scene, they continued to shoot at unsuspecting farmers, further escalating the death toll.

The attack on Logo occurred simultaneously with the assault on Ukum, and by the time police arrived in Logo, the gunmen had already killed 12 people.

Security agencies are still engaged in clashes with the attackers as they retreat into the forests near the Taraba axis.

Benue’s ongoing security struggle and growing concerns

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack in Benue or for the recent killings in Plateau.

However, the authorities suspect that armed herders are responsible for both incidents, which mirror attacks that have occurred across the region for the past decade.

These killings are part of a broader issue in both states, where hundreds of people have been killed in similar attacks by suspected armed herders.

The recent attack in Plateau State claimed the lives of over 50 people and destroyed several properties.

In response, Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang has called for communities to defend themselves against the growing threat. As the violence continues, the residents of both states remain vulnerable to further attacks.