Death Toll Rises to 56 as Alia Seeks Federal Government Support After Coordinated Militia Attacks
By: Zagazola Makama
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has confirmed that the death toll from coordinated attacks on communities in Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas has risen to 56, following renewed violence attributed to both terrorist incursions and deepening local militia rivalries in the state’s Sankera axis.
Alia, who made the disclosure during a visit to the affected communities on Saturday, said the scale of destruction was devastating and warned of the risk of further escalation unless urgent federal support is deployed to stabilize the region.
“Early hours of today, we understood that more bodies were being picked up in Logo LGA, resulting in 27 corpses. And then many more were discovered in parts of Ukum LGA, currently totaling 29. That brings the total to 56 lives lost in just one night. This is quite devastating,” Alia told journalists during the visit.
The governor, who conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas, said search efforts were still ongoing and expressed fears that the casualty figure could rise. He said the attacks were deliberately timed at the start of the farming season to prevent people from cultivating their farmlands.
“These were strategic attacks designed to chase people away from their communities. We simply need the support and help of the Federal Government immediately. The security forces are trying their best, but this level of bloodshed calls for urgent and strategic intervention,” he said.
Alia also pledged to cover burial and hospital costs for victims, and commended security operatives for their continued sacrifices in safeguarding the state.
While the initial blame for the attacks was placed on suspected armed herdsmen, fresh intelligence reports suggest the killings may have stemmed from a violent supremacy battle between three rival militia commanders operating in the area: Konyon, Full Fire, and Chen all former lieutenants of the late Benue warlord, Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as “Gana.”
The crisis escalated when Chen reportedly rustled cattle belonging to Fulani herders who had strayed into his camp in Logo LGA. In retaliation, rival militia leader Full Fire believed to have formed an alliance with armed herders along the Wukari-Benue border mobilized his men and launched an overnight raid on several villages in Logo and Ukum LGAs.
When Chen could not be found, the attackers reportedly opened fire on civilians, leaving 17 people dead initially. Security forces responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a firefight, forcing them to retreat toward the Wukari axis of neighbouring Taraba State.
However, hours later, a second wave of attacks occurred, bringing the confirmed death toll to 56 as of Saturday evening. Most of the victims were farmers and rural dwellers caught in the crossfire of the militia conflict.
Chairman of Logo LGA, Mr. Clement Ungwachikar, and Mue Ter Ugondo, Chief Peter Iorhuna, both expressed gratitude to Governor Alia for his quick response and solidarity with the victims. They called for improved security logistics and permanent deployment of troops to affected zones.
Security operatives, including the Commissioner of Police, State Director of DSS, Operation Whirl Stroke, Homeland Security, Civil Defence Corps, and Civil Protection Guards, accompanied the governor during the assessment tour. Armed personnel were seen patrolling the deserted communities, with many residents displaced and seeking shelter in nearby settlements.
Alia reiterated his appeal to the Federal Government to increase support for Benue State’s security architecture and work toward dismantling the criminal networks destabilizing the Sankera axis.
“We need strategic and lasting solutions—not just to secure lives, but to restore governance, disarm the militias, and ensure these communities return to normalcy,” the governor said.
The situation in Sankera remains tense, with intelligence sources warning of potential reprisal attacks unless urgent disarmament, reintegration, and conflict resolution measures are taken.
