A resident of Ukpiam community in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, was violently attacked by locals after allegedly attempting to downplay and discredit reports of a deadly overnight assault by suspected armed herdsmen.
Incident Details
- Mr. Zape Upaa, the man in question, was confronted and beaten by angry residents while trying to record videos aimed at suggesting no attack had happened.
- The community, still traumatized by the overnight violence, reacted with outrage when Upaa attempted to challenge the reality of the incident in public.
- Eyewitnesses say the mob action took place in broad daylight and drew the attention of other residents. Pictorial evidence making the rounds online shows Upaa with visible injuries, confirming the severity of the assault.
- He was ultimately rescued by other concerned locals and rushed to a Makurdi hospital for emergency treatment.
Ukpiam, like many rural communities in Benue, has repeatedly suffered from violent incursions by suspected armed herders, leading to persistent insecurity and calls for increased government protection.
These recurring attacks in Guma and surrounding areas have heightened fear and frustration among residents, leading to quick, sometimes extreme, reactions to any perceived attempts to minimize their suffering.
The latest incident underscores both the severity of ongoing violence and the deep mistrust and anger within affected communities.
Activists and local leaders are renewing appeals for authorities to boost security presence and address the root causes of the herders-farmers crisis in Benue State.
