In a devastating turn of events, at least 30 people have been reported killed in Ayati village, located within the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. The gruesome attack, carried out by armed bandits, took place on the evening of Thursday, August 8, 2024, sending shockwaves through the farming community and beyond.
According to eyewitness accounts, including a chilling testimony from a resident named Shima Ayati, the attack was marked by sheer brutality. Shima recounted the horrific scene in a phone interview with news correspondents, noting that the death toll could potentially rise as more bodies are discovered.
He described how over 60 heavily armed bandits descended upon Ayati village, arriving on motorcycles from the direction of Sai Road. Without warning, they began indiscriminately firing at anything that moved, leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake.
“They came on motorcycles from Sai Road at about Thursday evening and immediately opened fire on residents of Ayati village,” Shima said, his voice heavy with emotion. “They killed more than thirty persons. Many people are still missing,
but so far, only thirty corpses have been recovered.” He went on to describe the terror that gripped the community as the bandits moved from house to house, hunting down residents, shooting some on the spot, while others succumbed to their injuries while being rushed to the hospital in Zaki Biam.
Shima also noted that the bandits not only killed but also set houses ablaze before fleeing the scene via Sai Road, leaving behind a devastated community struggling to come to terms with the loss. “We believe more bodies may be in the bush as many people are still missing,” he added, highlighting the grim reality that the death toll could climb as searches continue.
Ayati village, a predominantly farming community, is situated in the troubled Sankera axis of Benue State, a region that has been plagued by repeated violence and insecurity. The Sankera axis, which includes the local government areas of Katsina-Ala, Logo, and Ukum, has become synonymous with such brutal attacks.
This latest incident marks the second time in just one month that Ayati village has been targeted by bandits. In the previous attack, six people lost their lives, triggering violent protests in Zaki Biam last month as the community demanded better protection from the authorities.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Sewuese Aneene, confirmed the attack in a chat with journalists on the police’s official WhatsApp platform for Benue State. However, she refrained from providing a definitive casualty figure, citing the lack of detailed information from the police response team on the ground.
“I’m aware there was an attack and I’m waiting for a briefing from officers on the ground,” she said, reflecting the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to piece together the full extent of the tragedy.
The relentless killings by bandits and local militias have had a devastating impact on Benue State, particularly on its agricultural sector. The region, once a thriving food and agro-allied hub, has seen its productivity crippled by the violence. This decline has contributed to the rising food inflation in Nigeria, which, according to the latest figures released by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, has surged above 40%.
In the wake of the attack, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State expressed profound grief and condemnation. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia decried the senseless violence that has continued to plague the state despite the presence of security forces.
“Governor Alia is deeply saddened by this heinous act, which has caused so much pain and suffering to the people of Ukum,” the statement read. The governor expressed his determination to continue using all lawful means to protect the people of Benue, particularly those in the Ukum area, which has been at the forefront of recent attacks.
Governor Alia also called on security personnel to enhance their surveillance and ensure that vulnerable communities are not left unprotected while the state government awaits the findings of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the ongoing violence.
The governor’s message of condolence extended to the families of those who lost their lives in the attack, assuring them that his thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. He also pledged the government’s support to the affected families and the entire Ukum Local Government community as they mourn their tragic losses.
The attack on Ayati village underscores the urgent need for decisive action to address the security challenges facing Benue State and other parts of Nigeria. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this horrific event, there is a growing call for stronger measures to protect innocent lives and restore peace to the troubled region.
