Suspected bandits have carried out deadly attacks in Benue State, leaving several people dead. Among those k!lled was James Akase, a former ward chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The attacks happened on Monday, May 19, 2025, and targeted rural communities in Guma and Gwer West Local Government Areas.
Villages that were attacked include Tse Ikpe Ago, which lies along the Yogbo-Gyungu Aze road in Mbayer/Yandev Ward, and Tse Kologa in Mbagune, Nyiev Ward.
According to a local resident who spoke anonymously, these were well-planned attacks on innocent farming communities that had no weapons to defend themselves.
In Gwer West, it was reported that Fulani militias ambushed and k!lled Hon. James Akase. He was from Tse-Defam in Mba’akov Vengav, part of Avihijime Ward.
Akase had been forced to leave his village because of earlier attacks but returned recently to find food. Unfortunately, he was k!lled during this visit.
Victor Ormin, the Chairman of Gwer West Local Government, confirmed the sad news. He said that Akase was attacked and k!lled while trying to collect food from his farm.
Ormin also revealed that another man was kidnapped on the same day. The victim’s family paid a ransom, and he was later freed that night.
These ongoing attacks have continued to cause fear and loss in local communities in Benue State.
