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In the early hours of January 18, 2026, the quiet Sham-lor community in Gbajimba, the headquarters of Guma Local Government Area in Benue State, was shattered by a violent assault attributed to suspected herdsmen. According to reports from local residents and the community source speaking to Benue Info-pedia, the assailants invaded the area, opening fire indiscriminately and killing two individuals on the spot.
The attack, which unfolded in the pre-dawn darkness, sent waves of panic through the community. Terrified residents fled to neighboring areas in search of safety, leaving homes and farmlands behind. Several others reportedly sustained gunshot injuries during the chaos, adding to the toll of human suffering in the region.
Beyond the loss of life, the assailants caused widespread destruction, targeting farmlands and properties that were set ablaze or otherwise damaged. This devastation has severely worsened the already fragile humanitarian situation in the area, where communities rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods. The destruction of crops and land comes at a particularly vulnerable time, threatening food security and displacing families further into hardship.
Security operatives, when contacted, confirmed the incident and stated that efforts are actively underway to restore calm, pursue the perpetrators, and bring them to justice. Normal activities in the Sham-lor community have been disrupted, with many residents unable to return to their daily routines amid fears of further violence.
Locals have appealed to both the Benue State government and the federal authorities to intensify security measures and provide stronger protection for vulnerable rural communities. This latest incident is part of a troubling pattern of recurring attacks in parts of Benue State, where farmer-herder tensions have long fueled cycles of violence, displacement, and loss.
As investigations continue and the community mourns its dead, residents of Sham-lor and surrounding areas are calling for urgent action to prevent such tragedies from happening again. The need for sustained peace, enhanced security presence, and dialogue to address underlying conflicts remains as pressing as ever in this beleaguered region.
