Violence broke out in Benue State after thugs attacked Senator Emmanuel Udende during a church event in Vandeikya Local Government Area.
The incident happened on Sunday, March 9, 2026, during a Harvest and Thanksgiving programme held at Kpe Aya in Tsua Mbagbera, located in the Vandeikya area of the state.
According to eyewitnesses, the trouble started when a group of armed men stopped the senator’s advance team before the programme began.
The attackers reportedly beat some members of the team and chased others into nearby bushes. Vehicles belonging to the group were also damaged during the attack.
The same group was said to have blocked the road when Senator Udende’s convoy arrived for the church event.
However, security personnel attached to the lawmaker cleared the obstruction and escorted him safely into the venue.
While the programme was going on at the House of Solution Church of All Nations in the Vandeikya region, the attackers reportedly regrouped and moved to the venue.
Witnesses said they stormed the area shouting political slogans and caused panic among those present.
Several people at the gathering were injured during the disruption as the attackers allegedly used different weapons.
The senator was not harmed because he was surrounded by security personnel who protected him throughout the incident.
The attack is believed to be linked to ongoing political tension within the All Progressives Congress in Benue State.
Reports say members of a group known for chanting “No Alia No Benue” have repeatedly targeted politicians believed to be aligned with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Confirming the incident, Senator Udende’s media aide, Jerry Iorngaem, said members of the advance team were attacked while travelling to the church programme.
He said the attackers destroyed vehicles and forced many people to run into the bush to escape.
Iorngaem explained that he managed to reach the venue later after escaping the attack.
He added that the senator’s convoy was also blocked on the road before security officers removed the barricade and allowed the lawmaker to enter the church.
He further said that toward the end of the programme, some individuals including local officials and other attackers allegedly returned and began chasing people away from the venue with weapons.
Canopies set up for the programme were reportedly pulled down while the senator was leaving.
He also said the attackers warned that people would not be allowed to organise church programmes in the area if they were not loyal to the camp of the state governor, Hyacinth Alia.
The media aide called on security agencies to investigate the repeated attacks in the state. He said the incidents were becoming frequent and warned that such acts were not in line with democratic practice.
Iorngaem added that a formal complaint would be submitted to the appropriate authorities so that the matter could be addressed.
