Four people have been confirmed dead following an attack by suspected armed herders in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, an incident that has also sparked a reprisal within the area.
According to security sources who spoke with Zagazola Makama, the attack took place in the early hours of April 7, 2026, at about 2 a.m., when armed men invaded Agber-Chicha village in the Imadi Dem community.
The assailants reportedly opened fire on residents, killing four individuals on the spot. Another person sustained injuries during the attack.
Following a distress call, security operatives were deployed to the scene. The bodies of the victims were evacuated to a hospital, while the injured individual was taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba for medical treatment.
The situation reportedly escalated shortly afterward, as relatives of the victims carried out a reprisal attack on a nearby herders’ settlement in Imande.
During the retaliatory action, about 20 cattle were killed, and one herder was reported missing.
Security authorities have stated that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible for both the initial attack and the subsequent reprisal.
They have also cautioned residents against further acts of violence, urging calm and cooperation with security agencies to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
