The 2027 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, has condemned the deadly attack on communities in Mbaterem, Ukum Local Government Area, describing the incident as another grim reminder of the worsening security situation in parts of the state.
Aondoakaa, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said Benue people could no longer continue to live at the mercy of armed attackers who invade communities, kill innocent citizens, destroy livelihoods and disappear without consequences.
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He was reacting to reports of an attack on several communities in Mbaterem in the early hours of Sunday, August 16, 2026.
According to reports from the area, armed men riding motorcycles invaded Ayaba, Ukpen, Bom, Aboajio, Yina and other communities at about 5am, shooting sporadically and reportedly killing several residents while leaving many others injured.
The attack reportedly lasted for several hours, forcing terrified residents to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
Reacting to the development, Aondoakaa said the recurring attacks had created an unacceptable situation in which communities were forced to live in constant fear of losing their lives, homes and means of livelihood.
“How long will Benue communities continue to wake up to gunfire? How many more farmers must be killed? How many more families must abandon their ancestral homes before the protection of these vulnerable communities is treated as the emergency that it is?” he queried.
The PDP governorship candidate said the people of Benue were tired of counting bodies, burying loved ones and fleeing their homes and farms whenever armed men attacked.
According to him, what the people need now is effective protection rather than another cycle of attacks followed by condolences and promises that fail to produce lasting security.
Aondoakaa therefore called on the government and security agencies to immediately launch a comprehensive security operation in the affected parts of Ukum, secure the communities, pursue the attackers and ensure that those responsible for the killings are apprehended and prosecuted.
He also called for a sustained security presence in vulnerable communities across Benue State.
“Intelligence from local communities must be taken seriously, known routes used by armed groups must be secured, and rapid-response mechanisms must be strengthened. The primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property,” he stressed.
Aondoakaa maintained that securing the people, facilitating the safe return of displaced families to their ancestral homes and enabling farmers to cultivate their land without fear must remain an overriding priority.
“Benue people have a right to their ancestral homes. They have a right to their farms. They have a right to go about their legitimate activities without fear of being killed.
“They should not have to surrender their communities to armed men because government has failed to provide sufficient protection,” he said.
The former Attorney General of the Federation sympathised with families who lost loved ones in the Ukum attacks and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
He further urged the relevant authorities to provide immediate assistance to the affected communities and ensure that residents who fled their homes are able to return safely.