A police officer and at least three civilians have been confirmed dead following a violent attack by suspected armed herdsmen in Aondona Village, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
The confirmation came from the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anne, who briefed journalists on Monday in Makurdi.
According to her, the officer was killed in the line of duty while attempting to protect residents from the attackers.
The police said they responded swiftly to the reported incident, recovering three bodies at the scene. An investigation is currently ongoing.
This incident follows the earlier killing of another police officer in a separate village within the same local government area, also during a herdsmen invasion.
However, local sources and community members report a much higher casualty figure.
They allege that the attacks stretched across four villages — Aondona, Ahume, Tyolaha, and Orbiam — leaving over 30 people dead, seven others injured, and two kidnapped.
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One local source detailed that the herdsmen began their attacks in Aondona on Saturday night and extended the onslaught to Ahume and other neighboring villages by Monday.
According to the source, 15 people were killed in Aondona, seven in Ahume, five in Tyolaha, and six in Orbiam.
The attacks have triggered mass displacement. Residents from Aondona and surrounding communities have fled their homes in fear.
In Gwer East, villagers from Mablim, which shares a boundary with Aondona, have also taken refuge in Taraku town.
As the violence continues, calls are growing louder for urgent intervention by security agencies to restore peace and safeguard lives in Benue State.