By Abdul Lauya
Twenty-three people have been confirmed dead following brutal and unprovoked attacks in Benue State, with 12 lives lost in Apa and 11 in Gwer West Local Government Areas.
The killings, described as “unacceptable” by the state governor, underscore the deepening insecurity that continues to plague parts of Nigeria, particularly the Middle Belt region.
In response to the latest bloodshed, the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia convened an emergency security council meeting on Wednesday morning at the Government House.
Following the meeting, he ordered joint security forces to deploy immediately to the affected communities to halt further violence and restore order.
The governor vowed that his administration would not allow the state to descend into chaos, pledging to mobilize all available resources to protect citizens and bring perpetrators to justice.
The latest attack adds to a long list of violent incidents in the state, which has faced repeated clashes between armed groups, leading to hundreds of deaths and widespread displacement.
In a sign of the growing national concern, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Oluyede, relocated to Benue on Tuesday to oversee security operations personally.
This move reflects the increasing pressure on federal security agencies to address the security crisis not only in Benue but across several flashpoints in Nigeria.
Local residents have been urged to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with the deployed security operatives to ensure the success of the intervention.
The government has promised to provide more updates as the security situation evolves and operations continue in the troubled areas.
