According to him, the sudden invasion threw the community into confusion as families were separated in the chaos and many residents abandoned their homes overnight.
At least seven people have been killed in an overnight attack allegedly carried out by suspected armed herders on a border settlement in Ukemberagya/Tswarev Council Ward in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The community, located along the Arufu–Wukari road linking Benue and Taraba States, has long been identified as one of the rural settlements exposed to recurring security threats due to its proximity to inter-state forest routes.
According to PUNCH, a resident of the area, who was identified simply as Amos, said the attack occurred late Sunday night when armed men stormed the community.
He was quoted as noting that the assailants arrived at about 11pm and immediately began shooting sporadically, forcing residents to flee into surrounding bushes in search of safety.
According to him, the sudden invasion threw the community into confusion as families were separated in the chaos and many residents abandoned their homes overnight.
A community leader in the area, Joseph Anawah, confirmed the incident, giving a slightly different account of the casualty figure while providing additional details on those affected.
Anawah said six people were confirmed killed in the attack.
He listed the deceased as Akor Gwakyaa, Msooter Gwakyaa, Aondoungwa Michael, Vershima Michael, Terna Michael and Msughter Terzungwe, noting that they were all killed during the invasion.
He further disclosed that several other residents sustained injuries of varying severity and were receiving treatment in different health facilities.
Anawah said, “It is also confirmed that some people whose names are not immediately mentioned sustained life-threatening injuries and have been hospitalised at different medical facilities in Anyiin town.
Those in critical health condition, numbering about seven, have been taken to Ugba town, Logo LGA, for medical treatment.”
He also provided details on how the attackers allegedly operated, describing them as a large group that moved on motorcycles and were heavily armed.
He added, “The Fulani attackers came in large numbers, armed with firearms, and were on motorcycles. It is alleged that the marauders are those camped at Shaor, one of the deserted villages that several intelligence reports have identified as a Fulani marauders’ camp in Logo LGA.”
Following the incident, Anawah said residents of Channel One and neighbouring communities had begun fleeing their homes, fearing further attacks in the area.
He urged authorities to intensify coordinated security operations across border communities in Logo Local Government Area, particularly around identified deserted settlements believed to harbour armed groups.
In a separate confirmation, the Chairman of Logo Local Government Area, Clement Kav, also confirmed the incident while speaking with journalists on Monday.
He said seven people were killed and four others injured during the attack.
“They killed seven people and injured four others. What they did was that they came, attacked and ran back to where they came from.
“They carried out the attack late Sunday night,” the chairman said.
Kav added that the incident had been formally reported to relevant security authorities, noting that immediate steps were being taken to assess the situation and prevent a recurrence.
He said he had already briefed the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, as well as the Special Adviser on Homeland Security, stressing that security deployments and intelligence efforts were being reviewed in response to the attack.
He further assured that local authorities were working in coordination with state security agencies to stabilise the affected communities and support displaced residents, while investigations into the attack were ongoing.
