From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
At least three persons have reportedly been killed and three others injured as suspected armed men on Monday invaded Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to locals, the attack took place at about 7:00am on Monday as the invaders shot sporadically.
A youth leader, Achii Matthias, who spoke to newsmen said that the killing caused tension and it was followed by protest in the community.
It was learnt that several people were reported to have stormed the Makurdi/Lafia/Abuja federal highway protesting the killing while displaying the dead bodies by the roadside.
According to Mathias, “The attackers are herders. Three people were killed and three others were injured, our people are protesting because despite the presence of about 200 security men in Yelwata and environs, the gunmen still attacked today in broad day light.”
He added: “As am talking to you now, the Security Adviser to the governor and Chairman of Guma LGA are here assessing the situation “.
When contacted, the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har confirmed the report and said that the attack happened in a community close to Yelwata.
Har said, “It’s true there was an attack today, and it happened in a community close to Yelwata, three people were killed and three others injured. The road that was blocked has been opened.”
It would be recalled that Yelwata was attacked on June 13 with about 200 people killed in the midnight attack on the community.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations’Officer DSP Edet Udeme said, “today, 11/8/2025 at about 0500 hours, some gunmen suspected to be bandit herdsmen attempted to invade Udei town in Guma Local Government area, but the police tactical units deployed to the area repelled them after engaging them in a shootout and they escaped through the border forest.
“At about 0700hrs, Police tactical teams deployed to Yelwata, heard gun shots from armed men heading towards Yelwata town . In response, the police tactical teams and other security agents on ground braced up against the invaders with superior fire power. The bandits were eventually repelled and they fled with gunshot injuries.
“Unfortunately, when the security units in Yelwata pursued the bandits into the forest, it was discovered that they had attacked some persons who had earlier gone to their farms at the outskirts of the village, three persons sustained serious injuries. They were taken to Benue State University Teaching Hospital where they are currently receiving treatment, while three other persons were confirmed dead”.
