Army Missing|50 Killed, Catholic Churches Shuttered in Benue Attacks

Benue State has been plunged into mourning following a wave of brutal attacks by suspected armed herders that left over 50 people dead and forced the closure of at least 15 Catholic parishes. The violence erupted over the weekend in four communities within Gwer West Local Government Area — Tyolaha, Tse-Ubiam, Ahume, and Aondona.

Among the casualties were women and children, with numerous others injured. The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi confirmed that a local priest, Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo, was ambushed and shot while traveling along the Makurdi–Naka Road. He was left for dead, while two of his companions were abducted. The priest was later rescued by security forces and is currently receiving medical treatment.

In response to the attacks, several parishes have been forced to shut their doors as fear and displacement grip the region. Church leaders and residents have expressed frustration at the absence of military response during the assaults, claiming the army was nowhere to be found despite repeated calls for help.

Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attacks, calling them “barbaric and inhumane,” and urged the federal government to intervene decisively. The continued violence threatens the stability of Benue, widely known as Nigeria’s “Food Basket,” as farming activities are severely disrupted.

The crisis highlights the persistent conflict between farmers and herders in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, driven by land disputes, ethnic tensions, and climate-related pressures. Despite the anti-open grazing law enacted in 2017, enforcement remains weak, leaving rural communities exposed to deadly raids.

As Benue buries its dead and struggles to rebuild, the calls for national action grow louder. Stakeholders are demanding long-term solutions to restore peace, enforce the law, and prevent further bloodshed.