Four people, including a former ward chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have been killed in fresh attacks by armed invaders in Benue State.

The attacks, which occurred on Monday, targeted rural communities across Gwer West and Guma Local Government Areas, leaving several people injured and many others displaced from their homes.

According to eyewitnesses, James Akase, the former PDP ward chairman from Tse-Defam, Mba'akov Vengav in Avihijime Council Ward of Gwer West LGA, was killed when he returned to his abandoned home to search for food for his family. Akase had previously been displaced due to ongoing attacks in the area.

In Guma LGA, three more victims lost their lives in what appeared to be coordinated attacks on two villages. At Tse Ikpe Ago, located along the Yogbo-Gyungu Aze road in Mbayer/Yandev Council Ward, Bartholomew Ikornya was shot dead by the attackers.

The violence continued in Tse Kologa village in Mbagune, Nyiev Council Ward, where two other residents identified as Gabriel Korlaga and a man known only as Kunde were also killed.

Victor Ormin, Chairman of Gwer West LGA, has confirmed the incidents, describing the repeated attacks as deeply disturbing. He called on security agencies to enhance surveillance and protection measures in the affected communities.

These latest killings add to the growing concern over insecurity in Benue State, where rural communities have faced persistent attacks from armed groups in recent years, resulting in numerous casualties and widespread displacement of local populations.

Security authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the attacks or measures being taken to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent further violence in the region.