In a harrowing account of violence and destruction, residents of Jato- Aka, a community in the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, have reported that suspected herdsmen carried out a series of brutal attacks over four consecutive days, leaving at least 20 people dead and widespread devastation in their wake. The attacks, which began on Saturday and continued through Tuesday evening, have left the community in a state of fear and despair, with homes burned, farms destroyed, and families displaced.

According to a local resident who spoke exclusively to SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the armed assailants, believed to be Fulani herdsmen, targeted Jato- Aka and neighboring communities, killing innocent civilians and setting fire to properties. The resident, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, described the attacks as relentless and devastating.

" Fulani herdsmen have killed innocent members of my family in Jato- Aka and have left everyone homeless as we speak, " the resident said. " They attacked again yesterday. It was an evening attack. They killed one person and burned down several houses and farm produce. Most of the houses in the community are thatch houses. The armed Fulani herders burned almost all of them down. "