By THE Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that multiple coordinated attacks by unidentified gunmen have devastated several communities across Benue State, leaving over 100 people feared dead and thousands displaced.
The most recent onslaught occurred in the early hours of Saturday at Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area.
Initial reports suggest that more than 100 lives have been lost, though NEMA stressed that “casualty figures remain inconsistent due to the volatile security situation and limited access to affected areas.”
IDPs
In a swift response, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were deployed following a distress alert.
However, in a tragic turn, two soldiers and one NSCDC officer were ambushed and killed in Daudu while responding to the crisis.
Medical officials confirmed that 46 injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals. Unfortunately, 20 of them later succumbed to their wounds.
“Our teams are overwhelmed and urgently require blood donations to save more lives,” a medical worker at the emergency ward appealed.
Confirming the incident, the Benue State Police Command reported that some of the attackers were neutralised during a gun battle. However, the scale of destruction and displacement continues to rise.
In collaboration with the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Nigerian Red Cross, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), NEMA has launched a large-scale humanitarian operation at a newly established Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at the Makurdi International Market.
“Over 3,000 individuals, including women and children, have been displaced and are in dire need of urgent humanitarian support,” NEMA said in a statement.
NEMA taking stock of displaced persons
“As of last night, displacement figures stood at 1,069 households, comprising 6,527 individuals.”
These include 1,768 females, 759 males, 657 children under 18, 1,870 adults above 18, 252 lactating mothers, 82 pregnant women, and 91 elderly persons.
Relief efforts are now focused on the provision of food, potable water, non-food items, and essential medical supplies.
“This is a humanitarian emergency, and we call on local, national, and international partners to support our ongoing efforts to bring relief to the affected,” a NEMA official added.
Authorities have urged communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement as investigations continue.
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