MAKURDI, Nigeria — A peaceful holiday weekend turned into a period of mourning in North Central Nigeria after suspected armed herdsmen launched a deadly dawn raid on a local community.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday, April 4, 2026, in the Agena settlement of the Mbalom district, located within the Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State. Local officials confirmed that at least nine individuals lost their lives during the assault. Beyond the loss of life, the attackers set fire to numerous residential buildings, the community’s central market, and essential food storage facilities.
This recent violence carries a heavy historical weight for the region. Mbalom was the site of a widely reported massacre on April 24, 2018, when gunmen attacked Saint Ignatius Catholic Church, killing 19 people, including two Catholic priests. Residents noted that this latest incident occurred at approximately 5:00 am West African Time (WAT, GMT+1) while many were still asleep.
Okay News reports that the gunmen, estimated to be more than 50 in number, opened fire on villagers as they attempted to escape their burning homes. Austin Awua, the Security Adviser to the Gwer East Local Government Area Chairman, visited the scene to coordinate the recovery of victims. He noted that the majority of those killed were young men and expressed concern that the death toll could rise as several people remain missing.
The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, issued a formal statement through his spokesperson, Tersoo Kula, condemning the violence as a “barbaric act” and a “direct affront” to the peace of the state. Governor Alia emphasized that his administration is committed to protecting citizens and is working closely with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian Army to track down the perpetrators.
Currently, security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been deployed to the deserted community to restore order. Local leaders are urging the federal government of Nigeria to provide sustainable security interventions to prevent such recurring tragedies in the region.
