Benue attack residents injured as suspected armed herdsmen reportedly clash with soldiers in Yelewata, leaving two people wounded

Suspected armed herdsmen have reportedly attacked Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, leaving two residents injured in a fresh outbreak of violence in the region.

Also read: Fresh Yelwata Attack Sparks Fear in Benue Community

The incident, which occurred on Sunday afternoon, involved an encounter between the attackers and soldiers deployed to secure the community.

A local leader, who requested anonymity, said the herders were moving with cattle toward the town when troops attempted to intercept them.

According to the source, the situation escalated when the suspected herdsmen began retreating and allegedly opened fire after soldiers fired warning shots to disperse them.

The exchange resulted in injuries to two residents who were caught in the crossfire.

One of the victims, a woman, sustained a gunshot wound to the hand, while another individual was hit in the leg.

Both were evacuated by the Benue State Emergency Management Agency to Makurdi for medical treatment and are reported to be stable.

The Benue attack residents injured incident comes amid heightened concerns over recurring insecurity in Yelewata, a community that previously suffered a devastating assault on June 13, 2025, when more than 200 people were reportedly killed, forcing survivors into internally displaced persons camps.

The community leader expressed fear that the renewed violence could disrupt farming activities, particularly as the state government had recently distributed agricultural inputs to support food production during the planting season.

He warned that continued attacks may prevent residents from accessing their farmlands and fully utilising the support provided, raising concerns about food security and livelihoods in the area.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

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The latest attack underscores ongoing security challenges in parts of Benue State, where communities continue to grapple with intermittent clashes and fears of further escalation.