Suspected armed herders attacked the Tse Ugema Chul, Mbakesa, and Ugbaam communities in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday, March 1, 2025, killing six people and leaving many others missing. The attack occurred a few kilometers from Zaki Biam, the headquarters of Ukum LGA.
According to eyewitnesses, the violence erupted after local youths, including Michael Adeke Michael, who had frequently voiced concerns on Facebook about cattle destroying their farmlands, decided to take matters into their own hands. The youths chased the herdsmen with sticks and stones to a nearby stream called Kafe, unaware that armed men were lying in ambush.
Over 50 armed herders emerged from the bush, armed with guns and machetes, overpowering the youths and killing several of them. A resident confirmed that six bodies had been recovered by Saturday evening, while many others remain missing.
The Chairman of Ukum LGA, Mr. Jonathan Modi, confirmed the attack and expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the persistent violence and destruction caused by armed herdsmen in the area. During an inspection tour of the affected villages, including Tse Alabar, Tse Ordondo, Hwande, Toni, Tse Yoosu Tiza, and Tse Begha, Modi criticized the security personnel for their inadequate response to the crisis. He urged them to be more proactive and assured them of his administration’s support in providing necessary logistics.
Modi lamented the desolation of once-thriving communities, now overrun by grazing cattle in the absence of residents who have fled for safety. He vowed to reclaim the land and declared, “We have had enough! It is time for no more excuses.”
The attack highlights the ongoing conflict between herders and farmers in the region, with calls for increased security and proactive measures to protect vulnerable communities.
