In a shocking incident that has deepened security concerns in Benue State, former councillor Hon. Paul Mbatsaver Azahaan was brutally murdered by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen. The attack occurred late on Saturday night, December 13, 2025, at his residence in Tse Azahaan village, Mbagen, Nzorov Council Ward, Guma Local Government Area.
Hon. Mbatsaver, who previously represented Nzorov Council Ward, was reportedly stormed by the assailants in the late hours of the night, leading to his immediate death. Sources indicate that the gunmen launched a targeted assault on his home, highlighting the persistent vulnerability of rural communities in the state to such violent incursions.
The killing has plunged the community into mourning while amplifying fears of an escalating security crisis in rural Benue, where attacks attributed to armed herders have long plagued farming populations. Local residents have described the late Mbatsaver as a dedicated grassroots politician who was widely respected and well-known in the area for his service to the people.
As tension mounts, community members have urgently called on security agencies to launch a thorough investigation, apprehend the perpetrators, and bring them to justice. Police authorities in Benue State have yet to release an official statement on the incident, even as anxiety grows over the potential for further violence in the affected region.
This latest tragedy adds to the ongoing challenges facing Benue State, underscoring the need for enhanced protective measures and decisive action to curb the cycle of insecurity affecting innocent lives.
