Suspected herders kill four in midnight attack on Benue community
Suspected armed herders killed four people in an unprovoked midnight attack on Abaushwa community in Benue State, Nigeria, while gunmen separately ambushed and killed two security operatives in Plateau State.
Deadly Herder Attack in Benue State
Four people were reportedly killed by suspected armed herders in a renewed attack on Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. [2] Several others also sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack, which occurred on Monday. [2] A local source said the attackers invaded the community at about midnight, attacking homes and killing residents in their sleep. [2] One of the residents, who identified himself only as Atoundo, said no provocation warranted the attack. [2] “They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses,” the resident stated. [2] Three persons were killed during the attack, while several others sustained injuries. [2] The injured were taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba, but one of them later died, bringing the death toll to four. [2] A former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board, Dr Frank Kyungun, who hails from the community, described the attack as unprovoked. [2] He said, “It was an unprovoked attack by armed herders. They came at about midnight and launched a heavy assault on the community. They killed four people and left several others injured. Those wounded have been taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba.” [2] The Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Morris Orwough, condemned the attack in a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Ernest Tortiv. [2] The chairman said security personnel had been deployed to Abaushwa to restore peace, protect lives and property, and prevent further attacks. [2] He urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and continue to provide credible information to assist efforts to tackle insecurity in the area. [2] The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondona, also confirmed the attack, saying four people were killed. [2] The police spokesperson said, “I can confirm that there was an attack in Guma LGA in which four persons were killed by suspected bandits.” [2] The police spokesperson added that investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice. [2]
Ambush on Security Patrol in Plateau State
Gunmen reportedly ambushed a joint security patrol in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State in the early hours of Tuesday, killing a police inspector and an Air Force corporal and making away with their service weapons. [1] Several community sources who confirmed the killings to PUNCH Online in Jos on Tuesday said the attack occurred at about 5am after four security personnel drawn from two guard locations mounted a snap roadblock along the Ganawuri–Sabon Gida Road. [1] The sources explained that “while the team was returning to their respective duty posts, two of the personnel failed to return, prompting troops to immediately launch a clearance operation.” [1] During the search, security forces recovered the bodies of the missing operatives. [1] “Security forces discovered the bodies of the security operatives, one inspector of the Nigeria Police Force and one lance corporal of the Nigerian Air Force. Their service weapons had been taken by the attackers,” the sources said. [1] Another community member, who identified herself as Catherine, said the bodies of the slain personnel were evacuated from the scene, while their motorcycle was recovered. [1] According to her, preliminary findings indicate that the ambush occurred in a volatile corridor. [1] “Preliminary findings indicated that the ambush occurred near an area previously occupied by Fulani herders, who had fled with their cattle before reinforcements arrived. The attack site was also close to a native settlement,” she said. [1] She added that, in response, security agencies had scaled up operations in the area. [1] “Security forces have since commenced cordon-and-search operations around nearby communities, while clearance operations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen weapons,” she said. [1] Contacted, the spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached immediately, but security sources at the command headquarters in Jos confirmed that investigations were ongoing as of the time of filing this report. [1] “I heard of the unfortunate incident, but I also know that investigations into the incident are ongoing,” the source added. [1]
Suspected herders killed four people in a midnight attack on Abaushwa community in Benue State Nigeria. — Source: anadolu
Stalled U.S. Peace Efforts in Sudan
Sudan U.S.-brokered peace efforts for Sudan have encountered new obstacles after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rejected demands to withdraw from cities under their control and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) insisted that any agreement must begin with the RSF's withdrawal. [3] Mediators are working to revive talks for a proposed 90-day humanitarian truce in Sudan led by U.S. Senior Advisor Massad Boulos, but disagreements between the SAF and the RSF continue to stall progress. [3] The SAF is demanding a full RSF withdrawal, while the RSF says the conditions amount to surrender. [3] “The military's recent gains in Kordofan have strengthened its position in the negotiations. They could also help civilians return to their homes and improve humanitarian access,” said Mohiedeen Mohamed, an analyst. [3] The SAF had consolidated control of the Export Road linking El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State, with Khartoum, despite intensified drone attacks by the RSF, according to military sources. [3] Mediators hope that a truce will create opportunities for aid deliveries and confidence-building measures. [3] However, ongoing fighting across several fronts complicates the prospects for progress. [3] “Recent fighting in Kordofan has reshaped the battlefield and prompted both sides to reinforce their positions. That shows neither is ready to make concessions, making a humanitarian truce unlikely to improve conditions on the ground,” said Abdolmoniem Abuidrees, another analyst. [3] Since April 2023, fighting between the SAF and the RSF has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions both within Sudan and across its borders. [3] An estimated 33.7 million people will need humanitarian aid this year, according to the UN. [3]
Houthi Fighter Deaths in Yemen Clashes
Yemen's Houthis announce deaths of 3 more fighters amid renewed fighting with government forces. [4] Announcements raise group's reported death toll to 6, including 3 officers, in less than 24 hours. [4]
Suspected herders killed four people in a midnight attack on Abaushwa community in Benue State. — Source: ukrainskapravda
Ukrainian Special Forces Capture Russian Troops
A special-purpose group from one of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces (SOF) units, while carrying out a special mission, discovered individual hideouts belonging to Russian troops and took two service members prisoner. [5] SOF reported that the positions were fairly well constructed, with overhead cover and camouflage, and minimal rubbish or telltale signs. [5] Nevertheless, SOF operators spotted the Russians first, opened up the hideouts and, with rifles pressed close, whispered for them not to resist. [5] Two Russian service members were taken prisoner without a single shot being fired. [5] “In the reality of this new drone war and deep kill zones, more and more Russians are dying on the way to their positions, with almost no chance of survival. That makes it all the more difficult, and all the more important, to build up the exchange pool, in order to bring Ukrainian defenders home from captivity in the future. Ukraine's Special Operations Forces continue to carry out special missions in the enemy's rear and in the grey zone, most of which are not disclosed.” [5]
Broader Patterns of Insecurity
Gunmen reportedly ambushed a joint security patrol in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State in the early hours of Tuesday, killing a police inspector and an Air Force corporal and making away with their service weapons. [1] Four people were reportedly killed by suspected armed herders in a renewed attack on Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. [2] Sudan U.S.-brokered peace efforts for Sudan have encountered new obstacles after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rejected demands to withdraw from cities under their control and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) insisted that any agreement must begin with the RSF's withdrawal. [3] Yemen's Houthis announce deaths of 3 more fighters amid renewed fighting with government forces. [4] The chairman said security personnel had been deployed to Abaushwa to restore peace, protect lives and property, and prevent further attacks. [2] Security forces discovered the bodies of the security operatives, one inspector of the Nigeria Police Force and one lance corporal of the Nigerian Air Force. [1] Mediators are working to revive talks for a proposed 90-day humanitarian truce in Sudan led by U.S. Senior Advisor Massad Boulos, but disagreements between the SAF and the RSF continue to stall progress. [3] Announcements raise group's reported death toll to 6, including 3 officers, in less than 24 hours. [4] The police spokesperson said, “I can confirm that there was an attack in Guma LGA in which four persons were killed by suspected bandits.” [2] “Security forces have since commenced cordon-and-search operations around nearby communities, while clearance operations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen weapons,” she said. [1] “The military's recent gains in Kordofan have strengthened its position in the negotiations. They could also help civilians return to their homes and improve humanitarian access,” said Mohiedeen Mohamed, an analyst. [3] Since April 2023, fighting between the SAF and the RSF has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions both within Sudan and across its borders. [3]
What to watch next: Investigations into the incidents are ongoing in both Benue and Plateau states, while mediators continue efforts to revive talks for a proposed 90-day humanitarian truce in Sudan amid ongoing fighting across several fronts.
