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Disturbing reports emerged on Friday, March 6, 2026, alleging that over 100 people, mostly women and children, were brutally killed during a night-time attack on Jato-Aka in Turan, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
Social media posts, including one widely shared by Tivta Samuel Aondodohhemba, described the incident as a “massacre” carried out by armed Fulani militia. According to the accounts, entire families were reportedly wiped out, with many homes destroyed in the assault.
Eyewitness descriptions and unverified images circulating online (many deemed too graphic to share publicly) painted a heartbreaking picture of devastation in the affected community. The post called for urgent awareness, urging people to share the information so the world could see the scale of suffering in Benue communities.
The claim of over 100 deaths has not yet been independently confirmed by security agencies, local government authorities, or official government sources as of the time of this report. No official statement has been released by the Benue State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, or the Nigerian Army regarding the alleged attack in Jato-Aka.
Kwande LGA, particularly areas in Turan, has in recent years experienced repeated violent incidents, including killings, displacement, and destruction of property, often linked to farmer-herder conflicts and banditry. Communities have repeatedly called for stronger, more proactive security deployments to protect lives and restore normalcy.
This latest reported tragedy, if confirmed, would mark one of the deadliest single attacks in the state in recent times and is likely to intensify public outcry over the persistent insecurity in parts of Benue despite earlier claims of relative improvement in certain areas.
Residents and online commentators have appealed for immediate intervention, transparent investigation, and decisive action to halt the cycle of violence. The hashtag #PrayForBenue trended in connection with the reports as many expressed grief and solidarity with the affected families.
Further details and official confirmation are awaited.
