Killings: Benue death toll hits 55

The death toll in the attacks on some communities in Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas of Benue State has risen to 55.

Some communities such as Ugondo in Logo and Tyuluv, Gbagir, Ukum Local Government Area came under coordinated attacks by gunmen suspected to be armed herders between Thursday and Friday.

The Benue State Police Command had on Friday disclosed that five people in Ukum and 12 in Logo were killed by the assailants.

However, speaking during his on-the-spot assessment tour of some of the communities on Saturday, the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, stated that the death toll had risen to 55.

According to him, the death toll in Logo was 27, while 28 deaths were recorded in Ukum LG as of the time of addressing the people.

He said, “Since these attacks started, we have recovered corpses. As of Friday, we received some and the death toll rose to 27 in Logo. In Ukum, security operatives have recovered over 28 corpses.”

He added that some families had buried their loved ones after being given cover by security operatives.

Some families requested to conduct immediate burials for their relatives and the security personnel provided them with cover to do so,” he said.

The governor, however, declared that the state was passing through “a real war” which could not be handled with kid gloves.

He said, “There is no room for anyone to sleep with their two eyes closed. This is real war. We know our enemies. This is the only state that we have. I mourn with you at this very pathetic and sad moment in your lives.”

While commending the security agencies for ensuring that there is peace in the state, Alia called on the Federal Government to assist his administration with the necessary support to end the killings and displacement of innocent citizens in the state.

The affected communities were said to have been deserted as residents have fled and taken refuge in Zaki-Biam and Ugba IDP camps.