Gunmen Kill at Least 20 in Benue State Attack

Gunmen attacked Aondona village in the Gwer West area of Benue State, Nigeria, over the weekend, resulting in at least 20 fatalities. Local authorities reported the incident occurred on Sunday, with disturbing footage of the aftermath shared by the local government chairman, Ormin Torsar Victor. However, police spokesperson Anene Sewuese provided a lower death toll of four, including a police officer who was responding to the raid. Such discrepancies between official and local reports are common in the region. (apnews.com)

The identity of the attackers remains unclear, but such incidents are frequent in the region due to ongoing tensions between local herders, mainly of Fulani origin, and farmers over land and water resources. Farmers accuse herders of destroying their crops by grazing livestock, while herders assert their right to use traditional grazing routes. (apnews.com)

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous act” and a stark reminder of the escalating violence in the region. This incident follows a similar attack last month, where gunmen, believed to be herders, killed at least 40 people in the area. (apnews.com)

The conflict between farmers and herders in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region has been ongoing for years, often leading to violence over land use, ethnic, and religious differences. The situation remains volatile, with authorities continuing efforts to address the underlying issues contributing to the unrest.