Benue Attack: Wombo Reports 22 Bodies Recovered in Ukum

House of Representatives member Solomon Wombo, representing the Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Federal Constituency, has reported that 22 bodies were recovered in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, following a deadly attack on several Mbaterem communities three days earlier.

The Benue attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday, August 16, when armed men invaded communities including Ayaba, Ukpen, Bom, Aboajio and Yina in the Mbazun area.

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Wombo said the scale of the killings had left affected communities grieving, describing the violence as inhuman, unjustifiable and unacceptable.

He called on security authorities to identify those responsible, arrest them and ensure that they face justice.

“We must pursue justice through lawful and legitimate means,” Wombo said.

The latest casualty figure provided by the lawmaker is significantly higher than the figure initially released by the Benue State Police Command.

Police confirmed an attack in Aboajo Village and reported three deaths and four injuries, while also announcing the deployment of tactical and patrol teams to pursue the perpetrators.

The discrepancy means the overall death toll remains subject to further verification.

Reports from other sources have also differed, with one account citing more than 10 deaths and more than 30 injuries, while Wombo put the number of recovered bodies at 22.

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia also condemned the assault and praised security agencies for their response.

Alia described the attackers as “terrorists masquerading as herdsmen” and said his administration would continue supporting security agencies to protect residents.

“Benue lands for Benue people.

Anyone who thinks that attacking us will intimidate us to leave the land is making a mistake,” Alia said.

Alia urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, while Wombo appealed for restraint and warned residents against retaliatory attacks.

The appeal comes against a troubling backdrop of recurring violence in the Sankera axis, which includes Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala.

The region has experienced repeated attacks by armed groups and criminal networks, with previous incidents resulting in deaths, injuries and displacement.

In July 2023, for instance, 24 residents were reportedly killed when armed men attacked Zaki Akpuuna 1 and Diom communities in the Mbaterem district of Ukum.

Wombo himself later raised the security situation in his constituency before the House of Representatives, citing continuing killings and calling for stronger security measures.

More recently, Benue communities have continued to face attacks.

It was reported that at least 16 people were killed in Nobi in early July, while another attack on Efeyi later that month reportedly claimed 15 lives.

The latest violence has therefore renewed concerns about the safety of residents in rural communities, particularly farmers and families living in areas where security responses can be difficult to sustain.

For Wombo, the immediate priority is accountability without allowing grief and anger to trigger another cycle of violence.

He expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones and sympathy for those injured or displaced.

As security agencies continue efforts to establish the full circumstances of the attack, the conflicting casualty figures underline the need for a comprehensive investigation and an authoritative account of the number of people killed.

For communities in Ukum, however, the impact extends beyond the figures.

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Homes have been disrupted, families have been separated by displacement and residents are once again being asked to remain vigilant in communities already accustomed to the fear of another attack.