By Mike Odeh James and Olikita Ekani
Makurdi–Thirty-one corpses of Christian residents have been recovered following ethnic-cleansing massacres in several communities in Northcentral Benue State by Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM).
The counties — Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala — also known as Sankera region, are located directly east of Makurdi, the Benue State Capital.
This genocide is coming despite early warning by TruthNigeria on Thursday, April 17, 2025 of imminent attacks on the three counties.
The affected communities and the number of casualties recovered and identified so far include: Gbagir (10), Chito (2), Tse-Shawa-Mbajembe (4), Tse Gube Mbajembe (2), Tse-Dajo (3) in Ukum County, Tse-Amakwa Ugondo Mbayam (8), and Saaor Lumbuv (2).
Other affected communities with casualties yet to be identified include Mbawar in Ukum County, Mbater, Gondozua Council wards in Logo County and Une in Katsina-Ala County.
Most of the victims were shot while trying to escape as they were pursued to the bushes and killed.
Some eyewitnesses reported casualties in the coordinated Thursday attacks on the 3 counties to be above 100, but TruthNigeria cannot verify this number.
Corpses are still being recovered from the bushes.
Gbagir town, in Ukum County, with the highest casualties is located 125 miles (202km) east of Makurdi, and 9 miles (15km) north of Zaki-Biam, the administrative center of Ukum County, 295 miles (476km) southeast of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria
Chito community in Ukum County, a border precinct between Benue and Wukari, (Taraba State) was used as a launching pad to unleash mayhem on the people of Sankera.
31 corpses recovered so far– Ukum Youth Leader
Prince Livinus Tyodoo, an Ukum County Youth Leader and former senior special assistant to former Benue Governor Samuel Ortum, confirmed to TruthNigeria the widespread killing, adding that 31 corpses have been deposited at St. Anthony Hospital Zaki-Biam, the headquarters of Ukum County.
“In Gbagir, the victims were shot while participating in the usual Catholic practice in commemoration of the Death of Jesus Christ.
“About 200 Fulani Ethnic Militia crossed from Taraba and Nasarawa States, gathered in Chito community in Ukum Local Government (County). They blocked the road between Zaki-Biam and Gbagir, Ityuuluv precinct headquarters at about 6 pm (17 GMT) on Thursday evening,” Tyodoo said.
“They surrounded Gbagir and opened fire on anyone on sight. Sounds of gunfire continued until the morning of today (Friday),Tyodoo went on to say.
“Most of the casualties are from Gbagir, which is 9 miles (15km) from Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government (County) Headquarters, Tyodoo said. “Gbagir is the hometown of Mr Chen, one of the local Tiv Ethnic Militia leaders who willingly dropped his arms and embraced peace, in response to the Amnesty program put forward by the State government and chaired by Bishop Isaac Bundepuun Dugu, the Archbishop of Katsina-Ala Catholic Diocese. It is obvious that the attack on Gbagir community was aimed at killing Mr Chen for resisting and killing many of Fulani Ethnic Militia in the past,” Tyodoo said.
“What is so shocking is that, despite early security alerts sent to security agencies about the impending attacks on Sankera, the attacks still went on successfully,” Tyodoo said.
Sankera Under Siege: Elder Ayati
Mr. Christopher Ayati, a community leader from Ayati, one of the most devastated communities in Ukum, told TruthNigeria that the entire Sankera region is under siege by armed Fulani militia.
“Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala are under attacks by Fulani Militia and there is no serious reaction by security agencies. The attackers are still in the rural communities and no effort to flush them out. The casualties from Thursday attacks are more than 100 but only 31 have been recovered so far,” Ayati said.
Ukum County Chairman Speaks
Nigerian military have been deployed to thwart the simultaneous attacks on Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala counties, according to the Chairman of Ukum County, Jonathan Modi.
“Yes, the attacks are still ongoing,” Modi told TruthNigeria.
“The military reacted swiftly and are still in Gbagir and other communities. I am currently in Zaki-Biam monitoring the situation,” Modi said.
Nigerian Critics Charging ‘Genocide’
After wanton massacres claiming 104 lives In Plateau State since April 2, and more heart-wrenching massacres in Benue on the holiest weekend in Christendom, Nigerian thought leaders are starting to use the “genocide” word. The Concerned Christian Youth Forum in Abuja urged an international outpouring of condemnation of killings with impunity.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has accused Fulani Ethnic Militia attacks in early April as a “sponsored genocide.” Global Upfront News called the Sankera attacks “genocide.”
TruthNigeria texted queries to Brig. Gen Louis Lepdung, the Field Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (the Joint Military Taskforce) in charge of Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa and Kogi through his official WhatsApp handle but has not gotten a response by close of business Friday.
CSP Catherine Anene, the Public Relations Officer of Benue State Police Command, confirmed the attack, saying Police personnel have been deployed to the affected communities.
“Yes, the Command has officially received the report of the Coordinated attacks, and we have deployed our personnel there,” Anene said.
Mike Odeh James and Ekani Olikita are Conflict Reporters with TruthNigeria.
