Mbalom community in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State has been a frequent target of violent attacks, primarily attributed to suspected armed herdsmen.
On Easter Sunday this year, a major attack on the community occurred, resulting in the death of about 17 people. Armed assailants invaded the community, shooting at residents and burning many houses. Shops, and food storage facilities were set ablaze and property worth millions of naira destroyed. The Mbalom, Mbatsada, Jande Market Square and Several homes were burned, and market structures destroyed, forcing residents to flee. Till now, residents have not returned to the community for fear of attacks.
The Easter attack was part of a broader series of assaults in the region, with reports of attacks on nearby communities such as Agana, Mbatsada, and Mbaikyor.
This is not the first time the community is visited by deadly attack. On April 24, 2018 a landmark violent attack occurred at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ayar-Mbalom by suspected herdsmen, who killed two Catholic priests, Rev. Fr. Joseph Gor and Rev. Fr. Felix Tyolaha and 17 parishioners during a morning mass. During the attack, roughly 50 houses in the community were burned down, leading to the displacement of the population.
The attacks often target the economic base of the community, destroying homes and preventing farmers from cultivating their land.
The recent attack has added to the already critical displacement situation in Benue State, where over 500,000 people are displaced due to similar attacks, often living in overcrowded camps with limited access to food, water, and healthcare.
It is quite disturbing that in most of these attacks, there were prior security alerts. For instance, before the recent attack in Mbalom, there were security warnings about imminent attacks in Mbalom, which were ignored. There were alert messages trending on social media platforms on strange movement of suspected killer herdsmen towards that direction. “Security alert: Information has it that some groups of Herders this evening were sighted numbering about 50 dressed in black overalls Jackets with Arms each, moving from Nyiti, Mkd LG to Atondiir in Gwer West LG where Easter celebration is scheduled to hold. Pls circulate this information to stop or change the location of the Easter celebration holding in Atondiir.” Despite these prior warnings and intelligence signals, the attack occurred. Lives were lost under circumstances that, by available accounts, were not entirely unforeseen. What then is the value of intelligence if it does not translate into prevention?
Security agencies should always endeavor to investigate every intelligent report irrespective of the source, whether formal or informal. In every rumor, they say, there is an iota of truth.
Another disturbing aspect of the attacks is that the situation involves complex accusations among community groups. In the context of widespread violence and killings, there have been accusations among Tiv subgroups that certain “insiders” or specific youths are assisting armed herdsmen in navigating the area. While reports highlight widespread killings by armed herdsmen, some narratives suggest accusations that specific local elements within villages are acting as guides for attackers to identify paths and secrets.
Comments such as: “That attack was coordinated by insiders loyal to the killer herdsmen” and more, featured prominently on the social media. Comments of that nature are meant to divert attention from finding a lasting solution to the common problem facing the state. Such unsubstantiated statements are capable of igniting internal crisis when external forces are already fighting the state. Such baseless utterances are embers of war and condemnable. Some mixed feelings and misconceptions are better resolved by setting out modalities to look into them rather than pointing accusing fingers on people. Benue people should not escalate this onslaught among themselves.
The situation in Mbalom has heightened calls for stronger security interventions and urgent government action to address the security challenges in rural Benue communities. The Benue State’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2018 remains a central instrument in this matter. Its continued violation without consequence undermines both the law and the authority behind it. Laws that are not enforced lose meaning.
Let there be justice, accountability, and protection of human dignity. Security agencies should intensify efforts in tracking down and bringing the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice and restore peace and order in Mbalom and other Benue communities.
Let there be a connection between intelligence and response, between warning and deployment, between risk and protection. Without that link, every new alert risks being treated as background noise until the next tragedy occurs. Early warning signals must trigger rapid response.
The situation remains highly tense in Gwer East and neighboring local governments, with allegations that the assailants are operating from forest camps.
Comments such as: “That attack was coordinated by insiders loyal to the killer herdsmen” and more, featured prominently on the social media. Comments of that nature are meant to divert attention from finding a lasting solution to the common problem facing the state. Such unsubstantiated statements are capable of igniting internal crisis when external forces are already fighting the state. Such baseless utterances are embers of war and condemnable. Some mixed feelings and misconceptions are better resolved by setting out modalities to look into them rather than pointing accusing fingers on people. Benue people should not escalate this onslaught among themselves.”
