Suspected armed militia launched deadly attacks on communities in Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State, killing at least 17 residents, the state police command has confirmed.

The violence comes just days after gunmen killed 15 people in separate assaults on Otobi-Akpa, Emichi (Otukpo LGA), and Utonkon (Ado LGA) earlier in the week.

In a statement on Friday, Benue Police Public Relations Officer, Sewuese Anene, said five people were killed in Ukum and 12 in Logo, with many others injured and hospitalized.

According to Anene, security forces received intelligence late Thursday that a large militia group was mobilizing to attack communities in the Sankera axis, particularly Gbagir in Ukum.

"Upon receipt of this report, the Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabanet, immediately deployed tactical teams to reinforce officers on the ground," she said.

The police, alongside other security agencies, engaged the attackers and repelled them in the early hours of Friday. However, five bodies were recovered in Gbagir and later confirmed dead at a hospital.

"Simultaneously, another attack was carried out in Logo, where 12 persons were killed before police arrival, bringing the total fatalities to 17," Anene added.

Security forces pursued the assailants as they retreated toward forests near the Taraba border.

Benue has witnessed a surge in violent attacks in recent months, with armed groups frequently targeting rural communities. Authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators behind the latest killings.