Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
At least 10 people have been confirmed dead and 15 others injured following a brazen attack by suspected armed herdsmen on the Saai community in Mbajir Ward, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, in the early hours of Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The attackers invaded the community after midnight, firing sporadically and using machetes on residents who were fast asleep.
A resident who lost a family member in the attack told Vanguard that several people were still missing as of Wednesday morning. According to Daily Trust, the attackers struck after midnight and began shooting indiscriminately. The resident said people who were fast asleep were awakened by gunshots and scrambled for safety. Some victims, including Mchiaga Akaa Agbondo, were killed and macheted beyond recognition.
The Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, Justine Shaku, confirmed the incident to journalists in Makurdi but said he had just arrived in Saai to assess the situation. He added that the casualty figure had yet to be officially confirmed. Many of the injured are receiving treatment at the NKST Hospital in Saai, but the atmosphere remains tense.
Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attack, describing it as a senseless and cowardly assault on innocent citizens. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor alleged that the attackers were "terrorists masquerading as herdsmen" and said the attack was aimed at disrupting farming activities and food production. He described the tragedy as "an ugly, cowardly and unacceptable act of violence, particularly coming at a crucial time when our hardworking farmers who have returned to their ancestral lands are cultivating their farms." He added that "these enemies of progress have chosen to disrupt the peace and food security of our state by targeting the moment when crops are developing and the hope for a bountiful harvest is high."
Governor Alia directed security agencies to deploy additional personnel to Saai and neighbouring communities, launch a manhunt for the perpetrators, and ensure adequate protection for farmers. He also appealed to residents to remain calm but vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies.
Residents fear the latest attack could be a reprisal for the murder of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ardo Risku, who was killed on June 27, 2026. Risku and his associate, Yakubu Isa, were ambushed and killed along the Otukpo-Okudu road shortly after attending a peace and security meeting. Police have since arrested 10 suspects in connection with that murder, though security agencies have not established a direct link between the two incidents.
The Mbajir Development Association described the killings as "heinous, barbaric and gruesome," alleging that the attack was carried out by "deadly Fulani herdsmen." The association urged the federal government, the Benue State Government, and security agencies to deploy additional personnel to the area and ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted. "The continuous loss of innocent lives is unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue. Our people deserve to live in peace, cultivate their farms without fear, and go about their daily activities in safety," the association said.
As of the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, had yet to respond to calls. The search for the missing residents continues, and the death toll may rise as authorities complete their assessment of the scene.
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