Scores Killed As Suspected Herdsmen Launch Fresh Attack On Benue Community

A yet-to-be-confirmed number of individuals were reportedly killed, and numerous homes have been set on fire in Benue State due to a recent surge of violent attacks allegedly executed by suspected armed herdsmen early on Saturday morning.

Naija News learnt that several communities, including Tombo Mbaya in the Buruku Local Government Area, as well as the adjacent Mbachoughu and Mbanyagber in Tarka LGA, were targeted in this coordinated assault.

The villages affected, such as Ortese Mbaatsua, Garagboughul, Usen, Tomahar, and Tse Damkor, reportedly experienced significant turmoil as residents fled in large numbers, seeking refuge from the violence.

A source informed Daily Post that displaced families have sought shelter in nearby towns, leaving many traumatized and without homes.

Benue residents fleeing from their community

Meanwhile, a top terrorist commander cum second-in-command to a leader linked to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), identified as Gwaska, has been killed alongside 100 others during a major military operation in Katsina State.

Naija News reports that the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, made this known in a statement on Friday, April 11, 2025.

The commissioner said the operation was based on reliable intelligence and targeted key hideouts used by criminals in the region.

He revealed that Gwaska had recently moved from the Danmusa Local Government Area to Mununu Forest, where he was tracked and killed.

Mu’azu added that the forces recovered and subsequently destroyed two machine guns, locally fabricated shotguns, and other weapons to prevent their reuse by criminal elements.

The statement reads, “On April 10, 2025, the Nigerian Army’s 17th Brigade and 213 Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Air Component of the Nigerian Air Force executed a coordinated strike on bandit strongholds in Mununu Bakai, Zango, Jeka Arera, Malali, and Ruwan Godiya areas spanning Kankara and Faskari Local Government Areas.

“The precision operation, based on actionable intelligence, eliminated a high-value target identified as Gwaska, who served as second-in-command to an ISWAP-linked leader.

“During the operation, the forces recovered and subsequently destroyed two machine guns, locally fabricated shotguns, and other weapons to prevent their reuse by criminal elements.”