A fresh wave of violence has hit Benue State as suspected armed herdsmen reportedly killed a family of four in a midnight attack in Guma Local Government Area, deepening fears over the worsening security crisis in the region.

The attack, which occurred around 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, targeted Imande Dem settlement along Gbajimba Road in Uvir Council Ward. Residents said the assailants struck while the community was asleep, unleashing terror on a single household.

According to local sources, a woman identified as Mrs. Utsuwa Chicha and three of her sons were brutally killed during the assault. The attackers reportedly stormed the home without warning, leaving no chance for escape.

A young boy, believed to be the only surviving member of the immediate family, sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to a nearby medical facility. Community members said he underwent emergency surgery to remove bullets lodged in his body and is currently receiving treatment.

Residents disclosed that the tragedy is even more devastating as the woman’s husband had earlier been killed in a previous attack, leaving behind a family already struggling with loss. The latest killings have now wiped out nearly the entire household.

The bodies of the victims were later evacuated in a joint operation involving security personnel and local residents, as grief and tension spread across the community.

This latest incident adds to a growing pattern of deadly attacks in Guma, an area that has repeatedly come under siege by suspected armed herders. Locals say the frequency of such assaults has heightened fear, with many residents now uncertain about their safety.

As of press time security authorities are yet to release an official statement, raising fresh concerns over response efforts and protection for vulnerable communities.

The attack is likely to intensify calls for urgent government intervention as killings continue to escalate across parts of Benue State.

By Benue State