Over the weekend, a suspected herdsmen-led attack on Ayilamo community in Benue’s Logo Local Government Area resulted in the tragic deaths of six residents and left numerous others missing. The assailants also set several homes ablaze in what is believed to be a continuation of violent tensions in the region.
The assault took place along the Abinsi-Anyiin-Wukari federal highway, where Ayilamo borders the Wukari area of Taraba State, an area known for recurring communal clashes. Local sources report that armed individuals, accompanied by herds of cattle, launched the assault at dawn, firing shots indiscriminately and torching homes.
Eyewitness Terwase Avande described the harrowing scene, stating, “The herdsmen arrived with their cattle, heavily armed, shooting at homes while their cattle roamed freely into the main town.” Thanks to the swift intervention by Operation Whirl Stroke, a military task force, the attackers were initially repelled. However, the assailants reportedly regrouped and struck again on Saturday afternoon, even targeting the local police station.
Community leader Chief Paul Adetsav suggested the attack might be linked to mineral deposits found in the area, which had attracted illegal mining activities. "Since Benue State halted illegal mining, the attacks have intensified," he explained. “The invaders kill, destroy our crops with their cattle, and threaten us daily. Hunger is now a constant worry as we can no longer tend to our farms."
Adetsav voiced fears for the safety of Ayilamo’s approximately 400,000 residents, lamenting a lack of sufficient government intervention.
Local authorities have confirmed the incident. Clement Ukav, Chairman of Logo Local Government Council, acknowledged the situation, pledging efforts to restore security to Ayilamo amid escalating community concerns.
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