Death Toll in Benue Attacks Rises to 24 Amid Violence

The recent attacks in Benue have resulted in a rising death toll of 24 individuals. The assaults occurred on Thursday, targeting the Mbaav community in the Mbadura council ward and the Yaav council ward in Kwand LGA.

Initial casualty figures reported 16 deaths, but further searches revealed additional victims, including Lawrence Bodi, a former supervisory councillor from Kwand LGA, whose body was discovered in a river. The list of identified victims includes several residents from both affected communities.

Six individuals sustained injuries during the attacks and are currently receiving treatment at a nearby health facility. Local search teams are actively combing the surrounding bush and riverbanks amid fears of discovering more casualties.

The state chairman of the Progress Congress, Austin Agada, condemned the attacks as barbaric, while Governor Hyacinth Alia described the killings as senseless and unacceptable. He extended condolences to the victims' families and assured residents of intensified security operations, noting that 400 security personnel have been deployed to the area.