How We Escaped When Gunmen Invaded Our Village – Benue Attack Survivors

Some survivors of the recent deadly attack by suspected armed herdsmen on Tse Biliiji village in Mbatian Council Ward, Ukum local government area of Benue State have narrated how they escaped death in the attack that reportedly claimed twelve residents.

One of the survivors, Tsekaa Gwaza, a farmer, said he narrowly escaped when the attackers invaded the community in large numbers on motorcycles, “I went for a meeting in a neighbouring village and on my way back in the evening on Friday, I saw many people running towards me, and when I asked them, they were shouting armed herdsmen. I briefly saw some of the attackers on motorcycles from afar. I quickly entered the bush and hid beside a fallen tree on the farm. They passed but didn’t see me. On reaching home, many were shot while others were macheted on the head and shoulders. In our village alone, 7 dead bodies were recovered. I don’t know how many people were killed in other villages”

“Another survivor, who only identified himself as Terfa, told LEADERSHIP that, “The attackers were many, and immediately I heard gunshots, I ran into the bush and slept there.

“I was hearing people shouting help us as they were being butchered.

Two of my relatives were killed during the attack. Everyone was heading to different locations for survival. In fact, it was not a good experience to share. It was like a movie but real,” he narrated.

Meanwhile, confirming the casualty figures in a statement, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ukum I Ngenev State Constituency, Hon. Andrew Aondofa Chila, who accompanied the chairman of Ukum LGA, Jonathan Modi and security operatives to the scene of the incident, condemned the attack.

According to Chila, “On Ukum LGA Attacks tonight, alongside the Chairman of Ukum LGA, Hon. Jonathan Modi, other stakeholders, and a detachment of security personnel, I visited the scene of the devastating herdsmen attack at Tse Biliiji, Mbatian Council Ward, which reportedly claimed at least 12 precious lives”

Chila narrated, “We arrived at about 8:00 p.m. and were confronted with heartbreaking accounts from survivors. I commend Hon. Jonathan Modi for directing the immediate establishment of a military unit in the community. This is a necessary step towards strengthening security and protecting our people from further attacks”

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ukum I State Constituency (Ngenev) in the 2027 Benue State House of Assembly election, Prince Tyodoo Livinus, condemned the attack on Tse Nyaku, Tse Biliji, and other communities in Mbatian, in Ukum LGA.

Tyodoo, in a statement, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident, describing the recurring attacks on innocent residents as unfortunate and unacceptable.

Also, a member representing Ukum State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Ezra Nyiyongo, described the attack as shocking.

Nyiyongo, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, said, “I am deeply saddened and outraged to learn of yet another unprovoked wave of terror, mayhem, and unspeakable cruelty inflicted upon our people at Tse-Biliji, Tse-Shishi-Nyako, among other yet to be identified communities in Mbatiam council Ward of Ukum Local Government”