No fewer than four persons have been killed, while several 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 fresh wave of violence, which occurred between Friday and Saturday, has forced many residents to flee their homes, while local vigilantes and community members have intensified search operations for persons still missing after the attacks. Blueprint reports
The assailants were also reported to have rustled several cattle during the raids, heightening concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of the state.
Attack begins in Elulu community
Residents told journalists that the attacks began on Friday night in Elulu community, Ohimini Local Government Area, where suspected armed herdsmen allegedly shot dead a young man before making away with his motorcycle.
The attackers were said to have proceeded to nearby Agadagba community, where they attempted to rustle a large herd of cattle.
However, local youths reportedly confronted the attackers, frustrating the cattle rustling attempt despite one of the youths sustaining a gunshot injury during the confrontation.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers later retreated into nearby forests.
Gunmen return, kill two villagers
According to the resident, the armed herders returned to Agadagba community at about 7 p.m. on Saturday and launched another attack, opening fire indiscriminately on villagers.
The renewed assault reportedly claimed the lives of two residents, while several others sustained gunshot injuries.
“They killed two persons and injured many at Agadagba village. This was after they killed a young man and snatched his motorcycle a day earlier at Elulu,” the source said.
He disclosed that the attackers also struck Ochobo community in the same local government area, where about four persons were shot during the invasion.
The source further revealed that another attack occurred in Ogoli-Ugboju community, where two persons, including a local ranch owner, were shot while several cows were rustled by the assailants.
“As we speak, this axis has become a dreaded area. People are fleeing their communities for fear of being killed. The armed herders attack at will and retreat into the forests. It is so sad that our people cannot have peace in their land anymore,” he lamented.
Woman killed, children hacked
In a separate incident, suspected armed herders reportedly attacked Tse Gbemshin community in Mbazum, Mbaterem Council Ward of Ukum Local Government Area, at about 2:30 a.m. on Saturday.
A community source said a woman was killed during the attack, while her children sustained severe machete injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
According to the source, the attack has thrown the community into mourning and heightened fears among residents.
“A mother was brutally killed while her children suffered deep machete cuts during the attack. The community is calling 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.
Council chairman confirms killings
Confirming the attacks in Ohimini Local Government Area, the council chairman, Mr. Gabriel Adole, said three persons were killed in the series of coordinated attacks carried out by the suspected herders.
He explained that the attacks started in Elulu community before spreading to Agadagba and other neighbouring communities.
“It is not only in Agadagba community. They attacked Elulu two days ago, killed somebody, attacked another person and collected his Bajaj motorcycle. They also went to Agadagba that same day to rustle cows, but the youths resisted them. They shot one of the residents in the leg but failed to take the cattle. Yesterday they returned and killed two more persons,” Adole said.
The chairman assured residents that normalcy was gradually returning to the affected communities following the deployment of security personnel and the mobilisation of community vigilantes.
According to him, Governor Hyacinth Alia has continued to support security operations in the local government to ensure the safety of residents.
“Normalcy is gradually returning because security personnel have been deployed. Governor Hyacinth Alia has mobilised all hands, while community vigilantes have also moved into the area because they are the ones who can easily access the difficult terrain where these attackers hide.
“The marauders cannot drive us away from our ancestral land. Governor Alia has provided adequate support for security in Ohimini,” he stated.
Calls for stronger security
The latest attacks have renewed calls for intensified security measures in rural communities across Benue State, particularly in areas frequently targeted by armed herders.
Residents urged the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to strengthen surveillance, increase the deployment of security personnel and ensure that those responsible for the attacks are arrested and prosecuted.
Community leaders also appealed for sustained security presence to enable displaced residents to return to their homes without fear of further attacks.
Police yet to comment
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain comments from the chairman of Ukum Local Government Area, Mr. Jonathan Modi, were unsuccessful as calls placed to his telephone line were not answered.
Similarly, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, did not respond to telephone 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 claimed lives, displaced residents and disrupted farming activities in recent years.
