DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Bandits kill scores in Benue community, Alia condemns attack

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Scores of people were killed in an attack on Sai Community in Benue State, Nigeria, by suspected armed herdsmen.
  • The assailants reportedly invaded the community early Wednesday, moving house-to-house and shooting residents.
  • Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attack, ordering security agencies to deploy more personnel and hunt down the perpetrators.

A brutal attack on Sai Community in Mbajir Council Ward, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria, has left scores dead. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, with assailants reportedly invading the community around 2 a.m.

Some armed herders invaded Sai Community around 2 a.m. They moved from house to house, shooting sporadically and forcing people to flee into the bush for safety.

— Anonymous ResidentDescribing the sequence of events during the attack on Sai Community.

Sources from the affected area described a terrifying scene as the attackers moved from house to house, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee into the bush for safety. By daybreak, community youths had recovered at least 10 bodies, while numerous injured victims were transported to a hospital in Katsina-Ala for treatment.

"Some armed herders invaded Sai Community around 2 a.m.," one resident, speaking anonymously, told journalists. "They moved from house to house, shooting sporadically and forcing people to flee into the bush for safety."

As we returned to the community at daybreak, youths had recovered 10 bodies of the victims, while several others had been taken to a hospital in Katsina-Ala for treatment.

— Anonymous ResidentDetailing the aftermath of the attack and the initial recovery efforts.

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has strongly condemned the attack, labeling it a "senseless assault on innocent citizens" and an "ugly, cowardly and unacceptable act of violence." He has directed security agencies to deploy additional personnel to Sai and surrounding communities to prevent further incursions. The governor also ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators to ensure they face justice.

Deploy additional personnel to Sai and surrounding communities to prevent further incursions by terrorists and armed herdsmen.

— Governor Hyacinth AliaIssuing a directive to security agencies in a statement following the attack.

Governor Alia emphasized the attack's timing, occurring as farmers returned to their lands to cultivate crops. He stated that these "enemies of progress" aim to disrupt peace and food security by targeting the crucial farming season. The governor extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, urging residents not to be discouraged.

Launch a manhunt for the perpetrators of this heinous crime to ensure they are brought to face the wrath of the law.

— Governor Hyacinth AliaOrdering security forces to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog