Metro
IDPs, soldiers among over 200 killed in fresh Benue attack
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About 200 people, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), five security personnel, women, children, and community members, were killed in a fresh coordinated attack by suspected herdsmen on Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The assailants struck late on Friday night, according to residents who said they had received advance warnings of impending attacks by marauding fighters.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed Yelewata from both the eastern and western flanks, overpowering police and youth defenders before unleashing violence on defenceless IDPs in market stalls and nearby homes.
Several houses and market stalls were set ablaze after being doused with petrol. Many victims, some described as toddlers, were reportedly “slaughtered like animals.”
Another group of attackers was said to have descended on Daudu. Although youths and security personnel mounted a fierce resistance, at least five officers, including policemen and soldiers, were confirmed killed.
Mr. Matthew Mnyan, a Yelewata community leader and former Acting Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), who spoke emotionally, described the incident as “a dark day” for the local population.
He said: “It began around 11 pm when they emerged from the western side, opening fire. Our youths and police resisted. Then another group attacked from the east and overwhelmed them.
“They killed people, set stalls ablaze with petrol, and burnt homes. Displaced individuals from Branch Udei and surrounding villages were inside those stalls. Shockingly, none of the soldiers intervened to protect them.
“We’ve recorded over 200 fatalities—families of 12, 15 people, including husbands, wives, and children, have all been consumed by fire. About 46 wounded were taken to hospital; so far, 20 have died.”
Mnyan said the operation appeared premeditated and well-coordinated.
He added: “We had prior alerts from Nasarawa State regarding attacks on Yelewata, Ukoho, Ortese, Yogbo, and Daudu. This was carried out simultaneously.
“Daudu’s defenders managed to repel the herd, but five soldiers and police personnel died. One was a Captain. We understand that over 300 assailants had camped near Daudu.
“The assailants seek to seize land. On Yelewata’s east side, Fulanis have occupied farmland and are refusing entry to others. That coordination from east and west was deliberate.”
Mnyan further said the community briefly considered moving corpses to the main road in protest but abandoned the plan after recalling past incidents that resulted in additional fatalities.
President of the Association of United Farmers Benue Valley (AUFBV), Chief Dennis Gbongbon, accused “Lakurawa bandits” and herders of the carnage.
His words: “Reports indicate over 62 IDPs and farmers were killed in Yelewata; several homes and shops were burnt. As I speak, about 85 percent of victims are IDPs who fled from places such as Antsa, Dooka, Kadarko, and Giza, now hospitalised or missing.
“These IDPs are still farmers at heart. Even when displaced, terror found them. This is a terrifying escalation.”
Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Internal Security, Chief Joseph Har, confirmed the dual attack.
He said: “I cannot give exact numbers yet as I was not on ground, but two separate incidents happened yesterday in Yelewata and Daudu.”
A military source, speaking anonymously, confirmed that two soldiers died. “We lost two military personnel in that attack,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command, in a statement by DSP Udeme Edet, acknowledged the incident, stating that tactical teams responded swiftly, engaged the assailants, and repelled the attack.
The statement read: “Some attackers were killed.
“It is with deep regret that we confirm civilian deaths and injuries. We are actively pursuing the attackers and will continue efforts to protect the public.”
Recurring Attacks
Benue State has long been a flashpoint for violent clashes between herdsmen and farming communities.
Over the last decade, hundreds of lives have been lost to such attacks, especially in local government areas like Guma, Logo, and Agatu.
The violence, often attributed to disputes over land and grazing routes, has led to mass displacement, with many residents forced into IDP camps across the state. Despite repeated calls for federal intervention and several military operations in the area, attacks have persisted, fuelling a humanitarian crisis and widespread insecurity.
Operatives of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force have dismantled a foreign human trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State.
The police rescued 30 Malian nationals allegedly held captive by the gang in an operation led by the IRT Commander, Adamu Muazu.
A police source familiar with the operation said the rescue followed a petition from leaders of the Malian Diaspora Community in Nigeria over the alleged trafficking and exploitation of their nationals.
According to the source, victims had contacted relatives in Mali, claiming they were being held hostage, with their captors demanding money for their release.
“A leader from the Malian diaspora group wrote a petition to the IRT, and our commander swung into action. There have been many complaints about their loved ones asking them to send money, saying they were being held hostage with their hands tied and money was being demanded for their release,” the source said.
He added that one of the victims’ parents initially paid money to the traffickers, but the victim later called again after two weeks requesting further assistance.
Another police officer, who participated in the operation, said sustained surveillance led operatives to a residential apartment at Barrister Road, Rugan Dakachi area of Karu Local Government Area, where about 15 victims were first rescued after 17 days of operation.
“After 17 days of relentless follow-up, our men eventually succeeded in rescuing about 15 Malian nationals who were lured, kidnapped and kept under captivity in a residential apartment,” the source added.
During the operation, 12 Malians and one Nigerian suspect were arrested, while others reportedly escaped.
The police officer added that investigations later led operatives to another apartment in the same area, where an additional 15 victims were rescued, bringing the total number of rescued persons to 30.
“In total, 13 suspects, mostly Malians, were arrested by our men, while others escaped. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” the source said.
The police also disclosed that the prime suspect allegedly rented the two apartments used for the operation for N1.9m and N1.7m respectively.
The victims are expected to be handed over to officials of the Malian Embassy.
A petition dated April 23, 2026, signed by the President of the Malian Citizens Diaspora Organisation in Nigeria, Dembélé Talibé, alleged that the victims were deceived into Nigeria under false job promises by a network operating under the guise of “Q-NET.”
The petition described the syndicate as an employment and investment front used to exploit victims upon arrival.
One of the rescued victims, Idirisaa Kaulibali, said he was brought into Nigeria by his half-sister with promises of financial opportunity.
“I was invited here by my half-sister to come and make money in Nigeria. When I got here, they said I needed money to join them.
“They told me they sell wristwatches online, so I had to tie my hands and ask my parents to send money so I could start the business. I am not the only one who did that. All of us did the same,” he added.
A man publicly confronted and disgraced an alleged fake prophet who wore the white garment associated with the Celestial Church of Christ after he reportedly failed to recite two hymns from the church’s hymn book.
The incident quickly went viral on social media as several onlookers gathered around the man and the alleged prophet during the heated confrontation.
According to a trending video online, the angry man accused the supposed prophet of disgracing the church and misleading people while pretending to be a genuine member of the Celestial Church.
He repeatedly questioned the man and demanded that he recite two hymns from the Celestial hymn book. However, the alleged prophet failed to provide the hymns correctly.
As the confrontation intensified, the man openly mocked and scolded him in front of the crowd.
“You are disgracing the church,” the angry man said during the confrontation.
He also threatened to beat him anytime he caught him wearing the Celestial white garment again.
The dramatic scene attracted reactions from passersby, while some people brought out their mobile phones and recorded the incident.
Meanwhile, social media users have continued to react to the trending video. Some users supported the confrontation, while others insisted that the situation required a calmer approach without public humiliation.
The viral clip has also triggered debates online about fake religious leaders and the misuse of church garments for personal gain.
WATCH VIDEO below:
Man publicly disgraced an alleged fake prophet wearing Celestial white garment after he failed to recite two hymns from the Celestial hymn book. He bl&$t3d him for disgracing the church and thr3&t3n3d to b3&7 him anytime he sees him wearing Celestial garments again. pic.twitter.com/fVHLnIlTEp
— 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) May 9, 2026
Gunmen have abducted six students of Nasarawa State University’s Gudi Campus after raiding an off-campus hostel in Anguwar Ninzo, Akwanga Local Government Area, on Wednesday night.
The attack occurred around 9 pm, according to Nasarawa State Police Command spokesperson SP Rahman Nansel.
The victims are all students of the Faculty of Engineering at the university’s Gudi Campus.
Another person at the lodge during the raid was also taken, bringing the total number of abductees to seven.
Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police Shetima Mohammed visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and assured students, residents, and the university community that efforts are ongoing to secure the safe release of the victims.
Security agencies have launched a coordinated operation involving the police, DSS, military, NSCDC, vigilante groups, and other tactical teams.
The Area Commander in Akwanga has been redeployed to coordinate field operations.
“The operation is aimed at tracking down the abductors, rescuing the victims unhurt and bringing the perpetrators to justice,” Nansel said.
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