Armed herdsmen stormed Abaushwa community in Guma LGA, Benue State, hometown of ex-governor Samuel Ortom, killing four and injuring several in a midnight attack.
Suspected Herdsmen Kill Four, Injure Several in Attack on Ex-Governor Ortom's Hometown
Benue — August 4, 2026
Suspected armed herdsmen launched a deadly overnight raid on Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, killing four people and leaving several others injured. The community is the hometown of former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.
Residents said the gunmen struck at around midnight while villagers were asleep, breaking into homes and attacking victims before they could react.
According to a community source, the assailants gave no warning and forced their way into houses, killing occupants inside their own homes.
Three people died during the initial assault, while others sustained serious injuries.
The wounded were rushed to General Hospital, Gbajimba, though one later succumbed to injuries, raising the death toll to four.
Search efforts were reportedly still ongoing for several residents who remained unaccounted for.
Dr. Frank Kyungun, a native of the area and former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board, visited the community alongside former Governor Ortom and other prominent indigenes in the aftermath of the attack.
He described the raid as a sudden and unjustified act of violence, noting that residents had long avoided conflict, even abstaining from selling or eating beef locally, in an effort to keep peace with herders, despite recurring damage to their farmlands from grazing cattle.
He said the visiting delegation urged residents to stay calm and allow police to carry out investigations.
Guma LGA Chairman, Morris Orwough, condemned the attack in a statement issued through his office, calling it heartbreaking and unacceptable.
He extended condolences to affected families and confirmed that security personnel had been deployed to the community to restore calm and prevent further violence.
He also appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies and continue sharing credible information to support ongoing efforts against insecurity in the area.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident, with the Police Public Relations Officer stating that four people were killed by suspected bandits and that investigations were underway to identify and apprehend those responsible.
The attack adds to a pattern of recurring violence in Guma and surrounding LGAs, an area that has repeatedly featured in reports of herder-related clashes and displacement across Benue State.
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