BREAKING NEWS: Suspected Armed Herders Attack Benue Community, One Killed

Suspected Armed Herders Attack Benue Community, One Killed

Suspected armed herders have reportedly launched another attack on Ondo Community in the Ogboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, leaving one person dead.

According to reports, the attackers invaded the community early Tuesday morning, firing gunshots indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee to the neighboring Oyangede Community for safety.

A resident, identified simply as Sunny, told journalists that the assailants stormed the area at about 6 a.m., causing panic among villagers. He explained that local youths quickly mobilized and confronted the attackers, preventing them from carrying out further destruction.

“The herdsmen invaded our community around 6 a.m. and started shooting sporadically. Residents ran for safety in Oyangede, while youths organized themselves and pursued the attackers. Their swift response helped to limit the damage, but unfortunately, one person lost his life,” Sunny said.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident, describing the situation as a security breach that was quickly contained.

“There was an attack in Ondo Community, but it was brought under control after the unfortunate loss of one indigene. Security agencies responded promptly, and the attackers were repelled,” Ogiri stated.

He added that a joint team of security personnel has begun combing nearby forests in search of the fleeing suspects, assuring residents that calm has since returned to the area.

“The combined security agencies are currently conducting operations in the forest to track down the bandits. The situation is now under control, and residents have been reassured of their safety,” he said.

Efforts to obtain a response from the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as she could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

The latest attack comes just two days after a deadly assault on Otukpo Nobi in the same local government area. While residents claimed that 16 people were killed in that incident, police authorities reported that eight persons lost their lives and five others sustained injuries.