Mother and Three Sons Slain in Benue by Suspected Herdsmen; Youngest Child Survives

A family of four has been killed in a fresh overnight assault by individuals believed to be armed herdsmen in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack, which local residents reported occurred around 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, targeted the Imande Dem settlement located along Gbajimba Road in Uvir Council Ward, plunging the community into deep mourning.

Sources from the affected community indicated that the attackers entered the area while residents were asleep and specifically targeted one household. During the assault, they fatally attacked a woman identified as Mrs. Utsuwa Chicha along with three of her sons.

A surviving child, a young boy, reportedly suffered gunshot wounds during the incident and was immediately transported to a medical facility for urgent care.

Community members further revealed that the injured boy was undergoing surgery to have bullets extracted from his body.

Residents also shared that the woman's husband had tragically lost his life in an earlier attack, leaving behind a family now largely comprised of widows and surviving relatives.

In the aftermath, security operatives and local residents collaborated to recover the bodies of those who perished. Meanwhile, the injured child continues to receive medical attention.

At the time of this report, security agencies had not yet released an official statement concerning the violent incident.