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By Simon A. Augustine

MAKURDI – A wave of violent attacks on rural communities in Benue State's Guma Local Government Area has left at least four people dead, including a woman and her son, with several others injured and property destroyed. The assaults, which local officials and community leaders are attributing to armed herders, occurred between Tuesday and Wednesday, exacerbating tensions in the region.

According to eyewitness accounts and local security officials, the violence commenced on the evening of Tuesday, August 19th, in the Tse-Adorogo community near Nyon. Armed men, suspected to be herders, reportedly opened fire on residents, killing two individuals on the spot.

The attack continued into Wednesday, August 20th, spreading to the neighbouring Tse-Ikpa community. There, the assailants are said to have ambushed and killed a mother, Mrs. Mwuese Iorver, and her son, Tersoo Iorver, as they attempted to flee the violence.

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the incidents. Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, stated that officers have been deployed to the area to restore order and commence investigations.

“We received information about an attack in Guma where two persons were killed on the spot. Operatives were deployed to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order. Investigation into the matter is ongoing,” Anene said.

The timing and nature of the attacks have drawn strong condemnation from the Benue State government. The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Affairs, Matthew Abo, described the events as a "senseless and unprovoked" act of aggression.

“It is tragic and unacceptable that innocent citizens going about their lives in their own homes and farms are being hunted down and murdered in cold blood,” Abo said in a statement. He reiterated the state government’s call for federal security agencies to enhance their presence and proactively dismantle armed groups operating within the state.

The Member representing Guma State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Dominic Ucha, visited the affected communities to assess the damage. He expressed grief over the repeated attacks on his constituents and appealed for urgent reinforcement of security personnel in the area to prevent further bloodshed.

Community leaders from the affected areas reported that aside from the loss of life, the attacks have triggered widespread panic, with many families displaced and farmlands, their primary source of livelihood, destroyed.

This latest incident is a stark reminder of the persistent armed herder attacks that have plagued Benue State and other parts of Nigeria's Middle Belt region. The conflict often centres on competition for land and resources, complicated by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

Survivors and victims of the attacks are currently receiving aid from local community organizations as security forces work to stabilize the situation. A combined team of police and operatives of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guard has been stationed in the area to deter further violence.