At least 13 people have been confirmed dead after suspected armed bandits attacked farming communities in Benue State, prompting security agencies to launch coordinated clearance operations aimed at tracking down the attackers and restoring calm in affected areas.

The Benue State Police Command confirmed that 13 bodies were recovered during search-and-rescue operations following the assault, while joint security teams comprising police and military personnel have been deployed to surrounding forests and major escape routes in pursuit of the assailants.

The attack has further heightened concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of Benue, where rural communities have repeatedly suffered deadly raids linked to armed groups.

According to local sources, the attackers stormed the affected settlements and opened fire on residents before retreating into nearby forests. The invasion forced many villagers to flee their homes and seek safety in surrounding areas.

Security teams responding to the incident recovered the bodies of the victims, while several injured residents were evacuated for medical treatment.

The police command said security operatives, working alongside military units under ongoing joint operations, moved quickly to secure the area and prevent further attacks. Authorities also confirmed that some suspects were confronted during tactical operations as security forces intensified efforts to clear criminal hideouts.

Following the killings, security agencies commenced expanded patrols across vulnerable communities, forest corridors, and suspected hideouts believed to be used by the attackers.

The operation includes ground sweeps by security personnel, intelligence gathering with support from local communities, and increased surveillance around affected settlements and displacement areas.

Officials said the objective of the clearance operation is to dismantle criminal camps, identify those responsible for the attack, and prevent further violence against farming communities.

The latest incident has renewed calls from residents, community leaders, and civil society organisations for stronger and more permanent security measures in Benue’s rural areas.

Stakeholders have urged the government to establish more security outposts, improve intelligence networks, and increase surveillance in farming communities that remain vulnerable to repeated attacks.

Benue State authorities have assured residents that security agencies will remain deployed until normalcy is fully restored and those responsible for the killings are brought to justice.