By Our Correspondent
Fear and grief have gripped Guma Local Government Area of Benue State following renewed deadly attacks by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen, leaving at least two villagers dead and several others fleeing their homes.
The latest incident occurred on Tuesday night when gunmen stormed Uikpam and Mbabai communities, opening fire indiscriminately on unsuspecting residents. The attacks, described by locals as unprovoked, are part of a series of violent incursions that have plagued the area in recent months.
Jimin Geoffrey, former media aide to ex-Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, raised the alarm in a Facebook post during the onslaught, warning of an escalating crisis. His post read:
“The calculated onslaught continues as militia herders are currently attacking Uikpam, headquarters and the only surviving town in the whole of Mbabai Council Ward. The agenda is real.
“As you read this, shooting is ongoing. May God help our people.”
By Wednesday morning, the human toll had become clear. Victims were identified as Francis Nomsoor and Kelvin, a patent medicine dealer. Witnesses told AljazirahNigeria that Kelvin was shot inside his shop and died while being rushed to Daudu for medical treatment. Nomsoor’s body was later recovered by security agents after the assailants withdrew.
Residents say the attackers operated with impunity despite previous deployments of security personnel to the area. According to community sources, troops who had been stationed in the locality following earlier attacks were inexplicably withdrawn before Tuesday’s raid.
This is not the first time Uikpam has come under siege. Barely two weeks ago, armed men suspected to be herdsmen killed two people along the Uikpam–Umenger road, just outside the town. Many locals believe these repeated assaults are part of a wider, coordinated campaign to displace indigenous communities.
The Benue State Police command was yet to release an official statement as of the time of filing this report.
