The National Emergency Management Agency has confirmed that a wave of coordinated attacks by unidentified gunmen has triggered a deepening humanitarian crisis in Benue State, displacing 6,527 residents, including vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, and the elderly.
In a post shared on X on Monday, the agency disclosed that the latest attack occurred during the early hours of Saturday in Yelewata, a community within Guma Local Government Area.
Armed men reportedly stormed the village, killing and injuring numerous people as they caught residents off guard.
Due to the tense security situation and difficulty accessing the affected locations, NEMA stated that the casualty figures remain fluid. However, it noted that ongoing rescue missions and recovery efforts are likely to shed more light on the scale of the violence.
“Following a distress alert, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were deployed to the scene. Tragically, two soldiers and one NSCDC officer lost their lives in an ambush while responding to the incident in Daudu.
“Dozens sustained injuries, with 46 individuals rushed to hospitals. Sadly, 20 later succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. Medical teams have called for urgent blood donations to support critical care efforts.
“The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the attack and reported that some of the assailants were neutralized during an exchange of gunfire,” it stated.
The agency further revealed that relief efforts are in motion to address the urgent needs of displaced victims.
“The State Emergency Management Agency, the National Emergency Management Agency, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Red Cross, and the International Organization for Migration are coordinating relief activities at a newly established Internally Displaced Persons camp at the Makurdi International Market.
“Over 3,000 individuals, including many women and children, have been displaced and are in urgent need of food, non-food items, potable water, and essential medical supplies.
“As of last night, displacement figures stood at 1,069 households, comprising 6,527 individuals. Among them are 1,768 females, 759 males, 657 children under 18; 1,870 adults above 18; 252 lactating mothers, 82 pregnant women, and 91 elderly persons.
“Urgent humanitarian support is being mobilised and delivered to alleviate the hardship of the displaced persons,” it added.
