By Peter Duru
Two residents of Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State have been reportedly shot by suspected armed herdsmen in a fresh incursion in the community.
The community was invaded on June 13, 2025 and the incursion claimed over 200 lives, with many survivors still displaced and taking refuge in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp.
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the armed men came to the community on Sunday afternoon with their herds and confronted the military personnel stationed in the community.
According to him, “The attack happened in the afternoon when the herders were openly grazing toward Yelewata town. Soldiers moved to intercept them, and when the herders realised they were about to be apprehended, they began running back,” he said.
The source added, “The soldiers fired warning shots into the air to stop them, but the herders opened fire while retreating. Two people were hit very close to my house.”
He noted that one of the victims, a woman, sustained a gunshot wound to the hand, while the second person was shot in the leg. Both victims were immediately attended to and conveyed by the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) to Makurdi for treatment.
“They are still alive, and we are grateful for the quick response of BSEMA,” the source said, expressing relief that the injuries were not fatal.
He stated that the attack occurred just four days after the Benue State Government distributed improved farm inputs to farmers in the community to boost food production in the current planting season.
“Our people are worried that the renewed activities of armed herdsmen may prevent them from accessing their farms and utilising the provided inputs.
“We fear for our lives every day. How can we farm when armed men roam freely around our farms?” he lamented.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, for comments on the incident were unsuccessful as of press time.
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