Fact Check: In the previous month, gunmen believed to be herders killed at least 20 people in the Gwer West area of Benue state.

Fact Check: "In the previous month, gunmen believed to be herders killed at least 20 people in the Gwer West area of Benue state."

What We Know

In early June 2025, multiple reports confirmed that gunmen attacked the village of Aondona in the Gwer West area of Benue State, Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 individuals. According to a local government chairman, Ormin Torsar Victor, the attack occurred on a Sunday, and graphic evidence from the scene was shared on social media, showing casualties including a child (AP News).

The Benue State police spokesperson, Anene Sewuese, corroborated that an attack took place but reported a lower death toll of four, including a police officer. This discrepancy is not uncommon, as police reports often understate casualties compared to local accounts (AP News).

The violence in this region is part of a broader pattern of conflict between herders and farmers, primarily over access to land and water resources. The farmers, often accusing herders of damaging their crops, have been involved in ongoing disputes with herders, predominantly of Fulani origin (AP News).

Analysis

The claim that "gunmen believed to be herders killed at least 20 people in the Gwer West area of Benue state" is supported by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press reported a local official's statement confirming the death toll, while also noting the common occurrence of such attacks in the region (AP News).

While the police provided a significantly lower figure of four deaths, this is consistent with a pattern where official reports tend to minimize casualty numbers (AP News). Furthermore, local reports indicate that the actual death toll might exceed 30, suggesting that the situation is even more severe than reported by the police (source-5).

The reliability of the sources is generally high, particularly for the Associated Press, which is known for its journalistic standards. However, local accounts should be interpreted with caution as they can vary widely depending on the source and the context of the reporting.

Conclusion

The claim that "gunmen believed to be herders killed at least 20 people in the Gwer West area of Benue state" is True. The evidence from various reports supports the assertion that a significant number of casualties occurred during the attack, with local officials confirming the higher death toll. Despite discrepancies in official police reports, the overall context of violence in the region reinforces the validity of the claim.

Sources

1. Gunmen killed at least 20 people in north-central Nigeria over the ...
2. At least 100 people killed by gunmen in north-central Nigeria ...
3. At least 100 people killed in gunmen attack in Nigeria
4. At least 20 people killed in simultaneous attacks on communities in ...
5. Over 20 killed in simultaneous attacks in Nigeria's Benue state - MSN