Benue community under fresh attack as suspected herders kill resident

By Lawrence Agbo

A resident has been killed following a fresh attack by suspected armed herders on Ondo community in the Ogboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, forced many residents to flee to the neighbouring Oyangede community as gunmen reportedly fired indiscriminately after invading the village.

A local resident, who identified himself simply as Sunny, said the assailants stormed the community at about 6 a.m., sending villagers into panic. He explained that local youths quickly mobilised and confronted the attackers, preventing further destruction, although one resident lost his life during the incident.

“The herders invaded our community around 6 a.m. and started shooting. People ran to Oyangede for safety, but our youths pursued them, stopping them from causing more damage. Unfortunately, one person was killed,” he said.

Confirming the incident, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said security operatives responded swiftly, helping to contain the situation.

He noted that although one indigene was killed, the attack was repelled, while a combined team of security agencies has launched a search operation in nearby forests to track down the fleeing attackers.

“The situation is now calm because security agencies responded immediately. They are combing the forest in search of the bandits,” Ogiri stated.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached.

The latest attack comes just two days after another deadly assault on Otukpo Nobi in the same local government area. While residents claimed that 16 people were killed in Sunday’s attack, the police said eight people died and five others sustained injuries.