The death toll from the devastating attack on Ayati Community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State has climbed to 75, following the recovery of more bodies from the surrounding area.
The attack, which occurred on August 8, 2024, left the community in shock as armed men, believed to be local bandits, launched a brutal assault, killing 30 people on the spot and leaving many others injured or missing.
In the days following the attack, a combined force of security agents and local residents have been conducting extensive searches in the area, leading to the discovery of additional corpses. A local resident, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, confirmed through a phone conversation that the search efforts have continued to uncover more bodies.
The Benue State Commissioner of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Mathew Abo, provided an update on the situation during an interview. He confirmed that security forces have been deployed to comb the area, but noted that the death toll continues to rise as more bodies are found.
“I received reports from my home local government that the local bandits invaded Ayati community and so far 30 corpses have been recovered, and more corpses are being recovered from the surrounding bushes as security personnel are combing the area,” Abo stated.
The commissioner explained that the attack was the result of a violent feud between local bandits from Ayati and the neighboring Tine-Nune community, who have been locked in a deadly struggle for supremacy. He described how the attackers were from both communities, with some from Ayati having maternal ties to Tine-Nune, and vice versa.
“If the ones from Ayati attack and kill people from Tine-Nune, the ones from Tine-Nune will come for a reprisal to ensure that they kill more than what happened in their area,” Abo explained.
A local resident, who identified himself as Iorliam, recounted the grim aftermath of the attack. He revealed that over 40 additional bodies, including those of children, the elderly, and pregnant women, were discovered in the evening following the assault. He also noted that several of the injured who were taken to hospitals have since died, adding to the growing death toll.
“We are recording deaths every day, even this evening one corpse was recovered in the nearby bush, bringing the number from 74 to 75,” Iorliam said.
The ongoing violence and loss of life have left the Ayati community in mourning, as residents grapple with the tragic consequences of the attack. The situation has heightened concerns about security in the region, with many calling for stronger measures to prevent further bloodshed.