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No fewer than four people were killed, while many others, including children, sustained varying degrees of injuries following separate attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Ohimini and Ukum local government areas of Benue State.
The new wave of violence, which occurred between Friday and Saturday, forced many residents to abandon their homes, while local vigilantes and community members intensified search operations for people still missing after the attacks. Project reports
The attackers also reportedly stole several cattle during the raids, raising concerns over the worsening security situation in some parts of the state.
The attack begins in the Elulu community
Residents told reporters that the attacks began on Friday night in Elulu community in Ohimini Local Government Area, where suspected armed herdsmen allegedly killed a youth before taking away his motorcycle.
The attackers are said to have traveled to the nearby community of Agadagba, where they attempted to raid a large herd of cattle.
However, local youths reportedly confronted the attackers, frustrating the attempted cattle theft despite one of the youths sustaining a gunshot wound during the confrontation.
One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers then retreated into nearby forests.
The gunmen return and kill two villagers
According to the resident, the armed herdsmen returned to the Agadagba community around 7pm on Saturday and launched another attack, opening fire indiscriminately on the villagers.
The new assault reportedly left two residents dead, while several others suffered gunshot wounds.
“They killed two people and injured several others in Agadagba village. This came after they killed a youth and seized his motorbike the day before in Elulu,” the source said.
He revealed that the attackers also targeted Ochobo community in the same local government area, where about four people were killed during the invasion.
The source further disclosed that another attack occurred in Ogoli-Ugboju community where two people, including a local ranch owner, were killed while several cows were rustled by the attackers.
“As we speak, this axis has become a feared area. People are fleeing their communities for fear of being killed. Armed herdsmen attack at will and retreat into forests. It is so sad that our people can no longer have peace in their own land,” he lamented.
Woman killed, children hacked
In another incident, suspected armed herdsmen reportedly attacked Tse Gbemshin community in Mbazum, Mbaterem Council District of Ukum Local Government Area, at around 2.30am on Saturday.
A community source said a woman was killed in the attack, while her children suffered serious machete injuries and are currently hospitalized.
According to the source, the attack has plunged the community into mourning and heightened fear among residents.
“A mother was brutally killed while her children suffered deep machete cuts during the attack. The community calls on the government and security agencies to investigate the incident, arrest those responsible and strengthen security to prevent further attacks on innocent residents,” the source said.
The Prime Minister confirms the murders
Confirming the attacks in Ohimini Local Government Area, the council chairman, Gabriel Adole, said three persons were killed in the series of coordinated attacks carried out by the suspected herdsmen.
He explained that the attacks started in Elulu community before spreading to Agadagba and other nearby communities.
“It is not only in Agadagba community. They attacked Elulu two days ago, killed someone, attacked another person and recovered his Bajaj motorcycle. They also went to Agadagba that same day to rustle cows, but the youths resisted. They shot one of the residents in the leg but failed to take the cattle. Yesterday they returned and killed two more people,” Adole said.
The President assured residents that normalcy is gradually returning to the affected communities following the deployment of security personnel and mobilization of community vigilantes.
According to him, Governor Hyacinth Alia continued to support the local government’s security operations to ensure the safety of residents.
“Normalcy is gradually returning as security personnel have been deployed. Governor Hyacinth Alia has mobilized all forces, while community vigilantes have also moved into the area as they are the only ones who can easily access the difficult terrain where these attackers are hiding.
“Marauders cannot drive us away from our ancestral land. Governor Alia has provided adequate security support to Ohimini,” he said.
He asks for more security
The latest attacks have renewed calls to step up security measures in rural communities in Benue State, particularly in areas often targeted by armed herdsmen.
Residents urged the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to strengthen surveillance, increase the deployment of security personnel and ensure those responsible for the attacks are arrested and prosecuted.
Community leaders also appealed for a sustained security presence to allow displaced residents to return to their homes without fear of further attacks.
Police have not yet commented
At the time of filing this report, attempts to obtain comments from the Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area, Mr. Jonathan Modi, were unsuccessful as calls made to his phone line went unanswered.
Likewise, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, did not respond to phone calls and text messages seeking official confirmation of the incidents.
The attacks add to a series of violent incidents that have continued to affect several communities in Benue state, where recurring clashes and armed attacks have caused casualties, displaced residents and disrupted agricultural activities in recent years.
