ABUJA, July 13 — At least 18 people have been killed after heavily armed gunmen attacked several communities in Nigeria’s Benue State, residents said, in the latest outbreak of violence to hit the country’s troubled Middle Belt region.
As Reported by Reuters, The attackers reportedly stormed villages in the early hours of Sunday, opening fire on residents and setting homes ablaze before fleeing. Survivors said many people were caught off guard as they attempted to escape the assault.
Residents told Reuters that at least 18 bodies had been recovered following the attack, although they warned the death toll could rise as search efforts continued in surrounding areas.
Benue State police confirmed that armed men carried out the assault but said security agencies were still assessing the full extent of the casualties. Additional police officers and other security personnel have been deployed to the affected communities to restore order and prevent further attacks.
The motive for the killings has not been officially established. However, Benue has experienced recurring violence linked to long running disputes between farming communities and nomadic herders over access to land and water resources. The conflict has intensified in recent years due to population growth, climate pressures and competition for agricultural land.
Human rights organisation Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the latest attack and called on the authorities to take urgent action to protect vulnerable communities, warning that repeated assaults have continued despite increased security deployments.
The latest killings add to a growing list of deadly attacks across Benue State, one of Nigeria’s most volatile regions. Thousands of residents have been displaced in recent years as insecurity continues to disrupt farming activities and force communities to abandon their homes.
Authorities said investigations into the attack are ongoing, while security forces continue search operations in an effort to track down those responsible.
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