Follow Us on Google
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen militia, have killed three persons and kidnapped two others in Sati-Ikov District of Ushongo Local Government Area LGA of Benue State.
Our correspondent reports that the attack came barely two weeks after as similar attack took place in the area claiming one life and leaving there residents with gunshot wounds.
The Deputy Majority Chief Whip, Benue State House of Assembly, Dr. Simon Gabo, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Makurdi.
He gave the names of the victims as Bem Msughter, Aondo Chia– Mbamegh, Daa-Ikov and Sunday Terwase while those kidnapped in the last night attack were Aondongu Amos, a Point of Service (POS) operator, and Mrs Arinze Igbo, a patent medicine trader.
The law maker also told newsmen that the attackers stole two motorcycles belonging to Mkeneem Sesugh and Aondoaseer martins and also attacked others including Ande Indyer, Anongo Raphael where they stole several properties and destroyed many others.
Gabo also recalled that last two weeks, suspected herdsmen also attacked Ushongo community killing one Ayangealumun Chilen while Zungwnen Ahembe, Mrs Shiaondo Lucy and
Kpenbeen Shior are currently battling with gunshot wounds inflicted on them by the attackers.
Gabo said “According to the information I received from my people who called today (Sunday), April 26, 2026, at about 4am yesterday, Saturday night, April 25, 2026, they went for a burial and on their way back they ran into the armed men.
Other News
“The armed men shot and killed three of them collected their bags. They also robbed some residents there and kidnapped two persons. The victims were all young men.
“Aside that, previously we have had one or two of such incidents every other week.
“The armed men cross the River from the Katsina-Ala Local Government side to Ushongo. We have a boundary with them that is created by River Katsina-Ala. So they cross from there to our side, attack and return back to their side. It is a mountainous area with large forests.
“I reported the matter to the Police and the Divisional Police Officer, DPO took some security men to the community this morning.”
Gabo condemned the incident in its totality and urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding as security operatives are already on the ground to fish out those behind the barbaric act.
The law maker said he will liaise with traditional rulers, government officials, and other relevant security agencies to conduct an extensive investigation to uncover the root cause and prevent a recurrence.
He sympathized with the bereaved families, urging them to take solace in the Lord, and assured them that the government will soon apprehend those behind the carnage. He said “Mata Constituency cannot prosper in fear. We will work day and night with security agencies until peace returns to Ikov.”
The Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, Udeme Edet could not be reached at the time of filing this report.
