Disturbing photographs and reports from Benue State on Thursday evening indicated that suspected herdsmen have taken control of Chito community in Ukum local government area of the state, with some photographs made available online showed the suspected armed herdsmen patrolling the Chito main market and the Divisional Police Headquarters, and the residents in the area appeared to have scampered for safety.

It was gathered that the armed herdsmen started moving in droves on Wednesday evening into the local government area that have witnessed series of attacks and killings previously.

Prince Tyodoo Livinus on his Facebook post on Wednesday evening wrote and stated that: “Hundreds of well armed herdsmen are still arriving at Chito in Ukum, brandishing their weapons, Government will not do anything till the attack will be launched successfully and the Governor will detail his Deputy to visit the area”.

Wantaregh Ikyaator on his X social media profile on Thursday evening, tweeted with photographs of the armed herdsmen patrolling the Chito community and said thus : “This is Chito, a small town in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State today.

Since yesterday, the bandits stormed the village in their numbers, doing anything  they like.  If you try to stop them, they will shoot and kill you, then more will come at night to finish the job! Benue is under siege!”.

“Our lives are in danger this evening, armed Fulani herdsmen, about 600 in numbers have taken over our communities this evening,” a resident stated as reported by SaharaReporters.

“They’re currently moving around towns in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue state. No security personnel at all, Governor Alia didn’t send security, they said the operationme will start soon once they (herders) have observed the place.”

Armed men suspected to be herdsmen had attacked three communities in Otukpo Local Government Area on Wednesday, barely a day after 11 people were killed in a deadly raid on Otobi community.

The latest victims of the escalating violence were Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju, communities that had previously suffered an attack in February, which left five people dead.

However, the renewed attack has created fear and mass displacement among residents, with women and children fleeing to safety.

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia in a statement a few days ago stated that: ‘I am deeply committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our people.

Our state has faced increased security challenges in recent times, with targeted attacks on specific local government areas, including Kwande, Ukum, Katsina-Ala, Logo, Gwer-West, Otukpo, Agatu etc.

The people in these areas have endured unimaginable hardship, and it’s time for us to take decisive action”.

The Benue State Governor in an earlier statement during the week, said the Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa has sent delegations to the state as an advisory security team to assess the security situation in the state.

The Governor said in quote; “Yesterday, I had an interactive session with the Advisory Team sent by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to assess the security situation in the state, held at the Government House, Makurdi.

As part of our ongoing efforts to combat insecurity, I am pleased to announce that Benue State will be convening a Security Summit aimed at finding lasting solutions to the security challenges facing our communities.

This summit will bring together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors as we work collaboratively to protect our people and restore peace in our state.

I want to assure the people of Benue that we are fully committed to ending these senseless killings and the displacement of our people.

In addition to the upcoming summit, I am currently in discussions with my fellow Governors in the North Central region to organize a North Central Security Summit, aimed at further strengthening our collective efforts in addressing the security crisis affecting our region.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to the CDS for his commitment to ensuring peace returns to Benue. I also urge the Advisory Team to extend their visit to our neighboring states of Taraba and Nasarawa, as we share borders and must work together to achieve lasting peace.

Together, we will restore peace to Benue State and the entire North Central region”.