Gunmen Kill at Least 20 People in North-Central Nigeria’s Benue State in Weekend Attacks
Benue State, May 26, 2025 – At least 20 people were killed over the weekend in a brutal attack by suspected herders in the Aondona community of Gwer West Local Government Area in Benue State, Nigeria’s north-central region. The violence is part of a series of deadly assaults that have plagued the area amid ongoing clashes between herders and farmers over land and resources.
Details of the Attack
Local government chairman Ormin Torsar Victor confirmed the attack on Sunday in a video posted on his Facebook page, showing the aftermath with several bodies, including that of a young child. Victor reported that 32 bodies were retrieved from assaults on the villages of Ahume and Aondona on Sunday alone, with an additional 10 fatalities from a separate attack in Olaha Tsebiam village on Saturday, bringing the weekend death toll to at least 42.
Benue State police spokesperson Anene Sewuese acknowledged the attack but reported a lower casualty figure, confirming four deaths, including a police officer who was responding to the incident. Such discrepancies between police and local figures are common in Nigeria’s conflict zones.
Context and Causes
Benue State lies in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, a region marked by ethnic and religious diversity and recurrent conflicts between predominantly Muslim Fulani herders and mainly Christian farmers. The disputes largely revolve around access to grazing land and water resources, with farmers accusing herders of crop destruction, while herders claim historical rights to grazing routes established by law in 1965.
Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attacks as “heinous acts” and a “stark reminder of the widespread violence and lawlessness” affecting the region. He called for urgent action to restore peace and protect lives.
Impact and Ongoing Violence
The recent attacks add to a grim pattern of violence in Benue and surrounding states. Last month, suspected herders killed at least 40 people in similar attacks, underscoring the persistent security challenges in Nigeria’s central region.
A Catholic priest was reportedly shot during the latest attacks and is currently in critical but stable condition, according to the governor’s office.
