Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has condemned brutal and coordinated attacks in communities in Logo Ukum Local Governments of the State.

Describing the attacks as “serious carnage”, the Governor disclosed that suspected armed herders launched the deadly attacks on motorbikes in the affected communities on Friday leading to scores of dead people.

He spoke at a townhall meeting after the incident that 56 people were confirmed dead in the indiscriminate shooting, adding thst death toll may rise in moments, given the critical conditions of other wounded ones.

Governor Alia, who visited the scenes of the attacks on Saturday, expressed shock at the scale of the devastation. 

He called for swift intervention of the Federal Government to address the situation as the attack was a calculat3d and targeted one.

“I know the federal government has offered substantial support and our security personnel are working tirelessly, yet this happened. Something more strategic and drastic must be done. I’m calling on the federal government to come to our aid urgently,” he said.

Governor Alia condoled with the bereaved ones, while he urged local youth to remain calm and avoid retaliatory actions, assuring them that the state government has initiated decisive steps to end the bloodshed.

During a town hall in Ugba, Logo LGA, Governor Alia held closed-door talks with youth representatives and traditional leaders. 

He issued a stern warning to any Tiv individuals collaborating with the attackers, declaring, “We know our enemies, and we must confront them head-on.”

He commended the efforts of security agencies, religious leaders such as Most Rev’d Isaac Dugu, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala, and traditional rulers for their efforts toward peace.

Governor Alia also promised material and logistical support for displaced persons, before proceeding to the heavily affected areas of Gbagir and Afia in Ukum LGA to assess the destruction.

Meanwhile, Hon. Prince Solomon Wombo, representing Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency, condemned the attacks and pledged to collaborate with the state government to curb the violence.

Also speaking, Logo LGA Chairman Hon. Kav Clement, traditional ruler HRH Terngu Iorhuna, and youth leader Simon Yangetuma, all lamented the gruesome killings and called for urgent intervention from both state and federal authorities.

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, heartily felicitate Christian faithful on the occasion of Easter celebrations. He further assured members of the public of robust security measures put in place to ensure a peaceful and crime-free Easter season across the state.

CP Dantawaye gave the assurance on Thursday, 17th April, 2025, while addressing senior officers of the Command at the State Police Headquarters in Lokoja.

He directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Operational Commanders to reassess their security strategies and intensify Police visibility across major public spaces to guarantee the safety of residents during the festive period.

The Commissioner also emphasized the importance of collaboration with other Security Agencies, stating that joint efforts are underway to maintain law and order throughout the Easter festivities. He called on all law-abiding citizens to support the Police by remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activities, as collective efforts are key to curbing crime in the State state.

Four dangerously armed northerners travelling from Doguwa in Kano State to Uvbe community in Edo State in the South South, Nigeria were intercepted and their weapons seized.

They were intercepted by the Edo State Security Network (ESN) and recovered from them guns, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons.

The suspects gave their name as Yusuf Abdulkarim, Mujaheed Garba, Shittu Idris, and Jamilu Habibu, disclosing that they travelling from Doguwa in Kano State to Uvbe Community in Orhionwon Local Government Area of Edo State when they were arrested at Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, the state capital.

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed arrest of the suspects in a statement by the Police Relations Officer, CSP Moses Joel Yamu.

The Police said suspects were intercepted with an arsenal that included three dane guns, six empty cartridges, three half-filled cartridges, four cutlasses, and two daggers, adding that the suspects were handed over to officers at the Ikpoba Hill Police Station for investigation.

“The command wishes to inform the general public that four (4) suspects Yusuf Abdulkarim, Mujaheed Garba, Shittu Idris, and Jamilu Habibu intercepted by a member of the Edo Security Network with three (3) dane guns, six (6) empty cartridges,  three (3) half filled cartridges, four (4) cutlasses and two (2) daggers, were swiftly taken over by officers from the Ikpoba Hill Police Station.

“The Edo Command is aware of a misinformation on the social media that four (4) herdsmen armed with guns were arrested at Americanus hotel on Osemwenkhae street after Big Joe motors, Ramat park Orogbeni Quarters and handed over to the Police.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that they are hunters, not herdsmen. They were from Doguwa in Kano State heading to Uvbe Community in Orhionwon LGA of Edo State. Meanwhile, investigation is ongoing”, CSP Moses Joel Yamu said.

The command urged the public to verify information before sharing to avoid causing unnecessary panic.

Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, appealed to Edo residents to refrain from spreading misinformation that could heighten tension across communities.

This development comes less than a month after a similar incident in which 16 armed travellers concealed in a truck were intercepted and mobbed by locals in Uromi, Esan North-East local government area of Edo State. 

The armed travellers were accused of being behind series of kidnappings and killings experienced in Uromi area. The incident however sparked outrage and arrests forcing government to initiate ongoing probe.