At least 17 people have been reported killed following an attack on Mbalom community in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State on Easter Sunday.
According to local sources, suspected gunmen invaded the community during the day, opening fire on residents and setting several houses ablaze. The incident forced many villagers to flee for safety, while others remain unaccounted for.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers carried out the assault despite the significance of the day, as residents were marking the Christian celebration of Easter Sunday.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement confirming the exact number of casualties, as conflicting reports continue to emerge. However, security agencies are said to have been deployed to the area to restore calm.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in parts of the state, raising concerns over the recurring insecurity affecting rural communities.
Sunday Buna Ibrahim is a seasoned journalist with Daily Frontier (dailyfrontier.com.ng), where he reports on security, conflicts, and humanitarian issues across Nigeria’s Middle Belt, particularly Plateau and Benue States. He also serves as a News Producer at Vision FM Radio in Abuja. Prior to joining Daily Frontier, he worked with Radio Nigeria, Fombina FM Yola in Adamawa State between 2019 and 2020.
