At least 102 people were killed and over 100 others were seriously injured in a brutal attack on a rural community in Benue State of Nigeria, local authorities said on Saturday, making it one of the deadliest attacks in Nigeria this year.
The violence erupted late Friday when suspected criminal herdsmen raided the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area. The attackers, reportedly armed with firearms and explosives, continued their attack until the early hours of Saturday, setting houses ablaze and trapping residents inside.
“This is a tragedy beyond words. We have counted at least 102 bodies and over 100 people are being treated for critical injuries at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital,” said Dennis Denen Gbongbon, leader of the United Farmers Association of the Benue Valley. He called for urgent blood donations to help overwhelmed medical teams.
Eyewitnesses described the horrific scenes. A survivor, identified only as Godspower, described the attackers using petrol to burn down shelters, burning many of the victims alive as they slept. Residents said the siege lasted more than two hours and that homes and property were extensively destroyed.
The Benue State government confirmed the extent of the tragedy. “We are still assessing the situation but at least 102 people have been confirmed dead,” said Joseph Har, the governor’s special adviser on security and home affairs.
Police officials said tactical units had been deployed to the area to track down the attackers and restore order. The state police spokesman, Udeme Edet, acknowledged the loss of life and stressed that efforts were ongoing to catch those responsible.
The attack is part of a wider conflict between farming communities and nomadic pastoralists in central and northern Nigeria over disputes over land use, water resources and livestock encroachment. The conflict has escalated in recent years and has had deadly consequences for the rural population.
Authorities have announced that they will launch a full investigation, but residents fear more violence.