BREAKING: 40 Killed in Bandit Attack on Benue Community

A bandit raid on Ayati community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State has left at least 40 people dead.

The attack occurred on Thursday, with the assailants striking around 5 p.m. as residents returned from their farms and daily activities.

A local youth leader, who requested anonymity for security reasons, confirmed the incident.

He reported, “Over 40 people were killed, and many more were injured. The survivors have fled to nearby communities for safety.”

The youth leader also noted that, as of the previous day, no security forces had arrived at the scene, describing the situation as dire.

Community leader Mr. Abraham Waroh voiced strong criticism on Facebook, saying, “The attack in Ayati has claimed over 40 lives. This is the same area where previous violence led to a protest that was later hijacked by hoodlums.

“One would expect the government to have deployed adequate security to prevent further attacks, but instead, they’ve been busy forming committees. This is the worst handling of a security issue I have ever seen.”

Benue State Police Command spokesperson SP Catherine Anene confirmed the attack and stated that she is awaiting a detailed report from officers on the ground.