At least four persons have been confirmed dead following a deadly attack by suspected armed herders on a community in Benue State, with tensions escalating after a retaliatory assault left about 20 cattle killed.
The incident occurred in the early hours of April 7, 2026, in Agber-Chicha village, located in the Imadi Dem area of Guma Local Government Area.
According to security sources, the attackers stormed the community at about 2 a.m., opening fire on residents and killing four people on the spot. One additional victim sustained injuries during the нападение.
Security operatives were said to have swiftly responded following a distress call, deploying personnel to the affected area. The bodies of the deceased were evacuated to a nearby hospital, while the injured victim was rushed to the General Hospital in Gbajimba for treatment.
Sources revealed that tensions escalated shortly after the initial assault, as grieving relatives of the victims allegedly carried out a reprisal attack on a herders’ settlement in nearby Imande.
During the retaliation, approximately 20 cattle were reportedly killed, while one herder remains unaccounted for.
Security authorities have confirmed that efforts are underway to apprehend those responsible for both the initial нападение and the subsequent reprisal.
They also urged residents of the affected communities to remain calm and avoid further violence, warning that continued retaliatory actions could worsen the already fragile security situation in the area.
The latest incident adds to the growing concerns over recurring clashes between farming communities and herders in parts of Benue, a state that has witnessed repeated cycles of violence in recent years.
