Tragedy in Benue: 17 Confirmed Dead in Easter Sunday Attack on Mbalom Community

By Babatunji Wusu

A wave of horror has struck Benue State following a brutal assault on the Mbalom community in Gwer East Local Government Area during Easter Sunday celebrations. Suspected armed attackers stormed the village without warning, opening fire on residents and setting numerous houses ablaze. At least 17 people have been confirmed dead, with fears that the death toll could rise as search parties continue to comb the surrounding bushes for missing persons.

The attack turned a day of religious celebration into one of mourning and displacement. Eyewitnesses described a scene of total chaos as families were caught unawares, forced to flee into the forests as gunfire echoed through the settlement. “This is heartbreaking. People were caught unawares. Many are still missing,” one resident shared, highlighting the scale of the devastation that has left scores of people homeless and traumatized.

In a swift reaction, Governor Hyacinth Alia, speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, condemned the killings as “heinous” and a direct threat to the state’s security. The Governor noted a disturbing pattern of “calculated and selective attacks” targeting peaceful communities in Benue. He offered his deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and pledged that his administration would provide the necessary support to the survivors.

Governor Alia has since directed security agencies to intensify their efforts to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice. While investigations are currently ongoing, the Governor assured the public that security measures across the state would be strengthened to prevent further incursions. For the people of Mbalom, however, the immediate focus remains on recovering their dead and finding those still unaccounted for in the aftermath of the Easter tragedy.

Do you believe that increasing the presence of a dedicated “Border Patrol” or state-level security force is the most effective way to protect vulnerable rural communities in Benue?

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