Gunmen, suspected to be armed Fulani herdsmen bandits have killed an unspecified number of people, including a chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Guma and Gwer West Local Government Areas of Benue State.
James Akase, who was the immediate past ward Chairman of the PDP in the local government was among those reportedly murdered.
It was learnt that the the attacks occurred on Monday, May 19, 2025, targeting several rural communities.
Villages hit included Tse Ikpe Ago, located along the Yogbo-Gyungu Aze road in Mbayer/Yandev Council Ward, and Tse Kologa in Mbagune, Nyiev Council Ward.
A resident of the area who spoke to journalists in Makurdi, said the attack was coordinated and was aimed at displacing the farming communities.
“In Gwer West, the Fulani militias ambushed and brutally murdered Hon. James Akase of Tse-Defam, Mba’akov Vengav, Avihijime Council Ward,” the source said.
Akase, who had previously been displaced by earlier attacks, was said to have returned to his community in search of food when he was killed.
Confirming the killing, Gwer West Local Government Chairman, Victor Ormin, told journalists that Akase was attacked on his farm.
“He went to get some food from his farm and was unfortunately killed. Another man was also kidnapped yesterday, but his family paid a ransom, and he was released later in the night,” Ormin said.
Efforts to reach Guma LGA Chairman, Maurice Orwough, were unsuccessful, as calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.
Similarly, the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, could not be reached for confirmation, as her phone rang out repeatedly without responses.
