Benue Community Attacked: Father and Two Children Killed by Suspected Herdsmen

A devastating attack occurred in the Abaushwa community, located in the Ndzorov area near Gbajimba, the headquarters of Guma Local Government Area in Benue State. The attack, which took place at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3, 2026, resulted in the loss of four lives, including a father, Mr. Ermberga Akombu, and his two children, Ter Upool and his daughter. Another individual was also killed in the attack, while several residents sustained injuries of varying degrees. The incident has sparked widespread concern regarding the rising insecurity in Guma Local Government Area, which has been plagued by repeated attacks in recent years. Hon. Maurice Orwough, the Executive Chairman of Guma Local Government Council, has strongly condemned the attack, attributing it to suspected armed herders. In a statement released on August 4, 2026, by his Personal Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Ernest Tortiv, the chairman expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. The chairman assured the community that security forces have been deployed to Abaushwa to restore peace, protect lives and property, and prevent further attacks. He urged the residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies, providing useful information to aid in the fight against insecurity.