Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.'
A fresh wave of violence has swept through the Sankera axis of Benue State, leaving one person dead and several others injured after armed groups launched coordinated attacks on communities in Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas over the past three days, forcing many residents to flee their homes. Community leader Mr. James Andoaver, who raised the alarm over the weekend, told reporters that armed assailants — identified by residents as a combination of armed herders and local bandits — struck several settlements, heightening fears among community members in the Sankera axis.
According to Andoaver, the attackers stormed Tse-Abali (Abari) Shor in Mbakesa, Ugbaam Council Ward of Ukum LGA, at about 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026, where they killed Mr. Utsenda Aber. Aber's wife sustained severe machete wounds during the attack and is currently receiving treatment in hospital. Other communities affected include Tongov along the Anyagba axis leading to Achough and Kaseve in Tiir Council Ward of Katsina-Ala LGA. Tse-Erukaa in Mbagar, Uyam Council Ward of Ukum LGA, also came under attack, although no casualty was recorded there.
The latest incidents followed a string of recent attacks in the area, including an assault on security personnel stationed at Alabar in Kundav Council Ward and an attack on a farmer popularly known as "Yellow" along Ayati Road near the Atuluku-Ityoakoso axis while on his way to his farm. According to the community leader, Yellow was attacked by four armed men, comprising three suspected herders and one local accomplice. In another incident, one Amokaha Koonoon was attacked with machetes after armed men reportedly moved through Tse-Anyier in Mbakorgba to Tse-Iam in Mbamena, Uyam Council Ward, on Thursday evening. Koonoon is currently receiving medical attention.
Andoaver listed the affected roads as Zaki-Biam-Sankera-Chito Road, Kyad-Tse-Burya Road, Kyado-Atsaam-Azabiam Road, Kyado-Atogbenda/Lafinkada Road, and Zaki-Biam-Bossua Road, warning that residents were becoming extremely worried over worsening insecurity on key routes, particularly during evenings and market days. He also claimed that armed groups had become increasingly active in Kundav, Uyam, Ugbaam, Borikyo, Kendev, Aterayange and Mbayenge Council Wards, urging residents to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary night travel, and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies. "Life had become unbearable for the people due to the activities of armed men in and around communities on that axis," Andoaver said, appealing for urgent security intervention.
However, the Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, Justin Shaaku, dismissed reports that the incident was a security breach, describing it instead as a robbery. "It was a robbery incident. Some people were robbed while returning home after the market closed. It was not a security threat. Nobody was killed, the victims only sustained injuries," Shaaku said. He maintained that authorities had significantly degraded the activities of criminal groups in Katsina-Ala and would continue working to rid the local government of all criminal elements. Efforts to reach the Chairman of Ukum LGA, Jonathan Modi, and the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, for comments proved unsuccessful. The conflicting accounts have deepened concerns among residents, who continue to flee their homes as armed groups persist in their attacks on communities and major roads in the Sankera axis.
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