At least 30 people were reportedly killed Thursday night in Ayati village, located in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, as local bandits and suspected armed herders unleashed terror on the community.
Sources speaking to journalists via telephone on Friday described Ayati village as becoming a slaughterhouse in Ukum LGA. The violence follows a recent incident in which 11 people were killed in the same community, sparking protests and the destruction of property in the area.
A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that bandits from the Ayongou factional group, in collaboration with Fulani herders, carried out the attack, leaving numerous innocent victims in its wake.
Shima Ayati, a community leader and former governorship aspirant in the state, confirmed the massacre, stating that over 30 bodies had been recovered so far. He explained that the violence was triggered after a confrontation between herders and farmers, which escalated when security forces intervened, leading to the destruction of herders’ makeshift tents. In retaliation, the herders allegedly teamed up with the bandits to launch the deadly attack.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident but stated that she was still awaiting detailed reports from officers on the ground.
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